Nissan ‘disciplines’ employees over faking self-isolation

Japanese car maker Nissan has revealed that a small number of employees have been disciplined after the employer discovered they had faked requests to self-isolate.

Staff based at the Sunderland plant used fake self-isolation screenshots from the NHS Covid app in order to get extra time off from work.

While a report from the Mirror suggested that up to 60 staff members would face disciplinary action over the fake screenshots, Sunderland Echo has since shared that Nissan has stated that those numbers are not the ones the firm recognises.

An employee at the firm explained: “Workers have been using other people’s screenshots to get time off work.”

A spokesperson for the car manufacturer added: “A small number of our staff have been disciplined after breaking Covid-19 rules.”

This news comes after Nissan had to recently adjust shifts at its plants due to the number of employees being ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid app, which instructs those who have come into contact with someone with Covid to self-isolate.

At the time a spokesperson added: “Production in certain areas of the plant has been adjusted as we manage a number of staff being required to self-isolate following close contact with Covid-19.”

‘Pingdemic’ panic

While Nissan discovered that some of its employees were being untruthful regards their requirement to self-isolate, other businesses have had to shut up shop due to staff shortages as a result of what has been dubbed the ‘pingdemic’.

Pharmacy chain Boots has lost as many as 70% of staff while some branches have been forced to close. Elsewhere, pub group Greene King has had to shorten opening hours at some sites to cater for the lack of staff.

This has prompted the government to publish a list of workers who will be exempt from self-isolation rules even if they are ‘pinged’.

Among those included are food production and supply, veterinary medicines, medicines, medical devices, emergency services, border control, essential defence and local government.