Hermes UK is making a £1 million fund available for its self-employed couriers, to help support them if they need to self-isolate as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The move follows concerns about their welfare since self-employed people are not eligible for sick pay, the company explained.
Hermes will also support couriers in finding someone to deliver on their behalf if they do not have a substitute and guarantee that their rounds will be kept open for them for when they return.
Martijn De Lange, CEO at Hermes UK, said: “This is an extraordinary situation and we have taken the decision to help support our couriers financially if they need help and also ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus. It is simply the right thing to do and I hope that other organisations will follow our lead.”
The company underlined that its initiative is supported by the GMB trade union.
Hermes claimed that it is “at the forefront” of supporting rights for the self-employed as demonstrated by its introduction of the ‘Self-Employed Plus’ (SE+) option, which attracts a number of benefits such as holiday pay and is the first of its kind in any sector.
This deal is backed by the GMB under a partnership agreement which saw Hermes provide recognition of the GMB’s representation of any of its circa 15,000 self-employed couriers that choose to join the union.
