A WORRIED daughter has called out a supermarket for not paying their elderly and vulnerable workers if they self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic.

Toni Gross contacted the Bracknell News after her 74-year-old mother was reportedly told she cannot stay at home as Sainsbury's will not pay her if she chooses to self-isolate.

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Her mum works at the Sainsbury's store in Ascot High Street along with a disabled worker who is also reportedly classed as 'vulnerable'.

The grocery giant has said it would pay elderly and vulnerable staff in full if the government decides they should self-isolate for 12 weeks.

But the 74-year-old claims to not have seen this approach on the shop floor.

Ms Gross' mum is an elderly worker and lives at home with her sister who suffers with pneumonia and her husband who has skin cancer.

She said: "My mum relies on her pay, she has no savings so she says she cannot stay at home as Sainsbury's wont pay her to self-isolate.

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"Why have they got elderly only shopping times to protect shoppers but not the staff?

"Yesterday, she told me it was a particularly busy day and she won't be two metres apart as she's stacking the shelves.

"The vulnerable and elderly should not be there and they get abused by shoppers too. It's just not fair."

Those aged over 70 (regardless of medical conditions) are advised to stay at home and 'social distance' under stringent advice from Public Health England.

This is to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect those who are vulnerable to contracting the virus.

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However, the worried daughter said her mum is still having to work in the supermarket.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "The supermarket has fully committed to supporting all colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating.

"All colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating will receive full pay for the full period of 14 days and the supermarket is committed to paying elderly and vulnerable colleagues in full if the government decides they should self-isolate for 12 weeks."

Sainsbury’s has also reserved the first hour – 8am-9am – in all of its supermarkets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for NHS staff and social care workers, alongside elderly and vulnerable customers.