CIPD calls for isolation review amid 'pingdemic'

Six in 10 organisations faced staff shortages with workers being ‘pinged’

clock • 2 min read

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has called for the government to review self-isolation rules amid the ongoing ‘pingdemic’.

The NHS app sent a record 520,194 alerts in the seven days from 12 July, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to self-isolate. Isolation periods can vary between five and 10 days, despite negative tests and if a person has had both vaccine jabs. These rules will stay in place until 16 August when those who have been double jabbed or test negative will not have to isolate. The surge in cases and ‘pings' has impacted employers with the CIPD finding nearly six in 10 (57%) HR professionals had encountered staff shortages in the past month as a result. CIPD head of public policy B...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

70% of supported employees stay in or return to work: Working to Wellbeing

70% of supported employees stay in or return to work: Working to Wellbeing

Success rate down to 43% when off work for more than 12 months

Jaskeet Briah
clock 22 July 2026 • 2 min read
Car finance platform adds employee benefits and life insurance to offering

Car finance platform adds employee benefits and life insurance to offering

Car Finance 247 addition

Cameron Roberts
clock 17 July 2026 • 1 min read
Keep Britain Working lacks awareness among SMEs: GRiD

Keep Britain Working lacks awareness among SMEs: GRiD

75% of UK employers have heard of the review

Cameron Roberts
clock 14 July 2026 • 2 min read