Dear Transport for London, Please could you clarify the following questions related to tripartite enhanced covid sick pay for bus drivers 1) can you confirm all London bus operators are signed up to and implementing this agreement 2) is TfL funding the first three days of sick pay or the agreed 14 after which bus company sick pay continues. 3) Do any of the bus operators have an opt out clause for this agreement 4) can any of the bus operators change the agreed 14 days to 10 days in specific relation to covid tripartite sick pay agreement

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TfL Ref 2361-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 18 February 2021 asking for information about the Tripartite Covid-19 sick pay agreement.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions and our replies are as follows:

1. Can you confirm all London bus operators are signed up to and implementing this?

Yes all operators are supportive of and implementing this scheme.

1. Is TfL funding the first three days of sick pay or the agreed 14 after which bus company sick pay continues;

TfL would fund the first three days if required and also up to 14 days depending on company sick pay policies in place. This will vary based on an individual’s contract, grade and experience. The broad principle is TfL provides funding from day one to ensure payments are in place for the time somebody is off sick with the symptoms of Covid-19 (but no other complication) or up to 14 days through self-isolation.

1. Do any of the bus operators have an opt out clause for this agreement

There is no opt out clause.

1. Can any of the bus operators change the agreed 14 days to 10 days in specific relation to Covid tripartite sick pay agreement

14 days was originally the limit with this policy as that was the maximum number of days the government advised in the event of isolating. It is ultimately up to operators to apply their own policies for self-isolation but this would stem from Government advice.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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