Employers must by law, pay statutory sick pay (SSP) to employees and workers providing they meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for statutory sick pay, an employee or worker must: –
• Be classed as an employee.
• Earn at least £123 a week, before tax.
• Inform their employer that they are sick before any deadline the employer has set or within 7 days.
• Have been ill for at least 4 days in a row.
Casual, agency and zero-hours workers are also entitled to statutory sick pay if they meet the above criteria.
Fit Notes
An employer may ask their employee for a fit note before they pay statutory sick pay. A fit note can also be called a ‘sick note’. However, employers should be aware it is not always easy to get a fit note, even though recent legislation has increased the range of medical professionals who can issue a fit note.
An employee must get a fit note from their healthcare professional if they have been off sick for more than 7 calendar days.
How much is statutory sick pay?
The statutory sick pay rate is £109.40 per week and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. Statutory sick pay is the minimum amount employers must pay. Some employers might pay more. If they do, this must be written in the contract or workplace policy.
An employer does not have to pay statutory sick pay for the first 3 qualifying days of sickness absence. These 3 days are called ‘waiting days’. It should state in the contract or the organisation’s policy whether the first 3 days of sickness absence are paid or unpaid.
If you have any questions relating to Statutory Sick Pay, please contact us on 01483 362732 or info@guildford-hr.co.uk
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