The last thing you want when you're unwell is to have to jump through hoops with your employer, however there are certain things that you need to do to make sure you're paid correctly and to not risk losing your job. In the United Kingdom, there's no legal requirement for employers to provide paid sick leave, however, employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) under certain circumstances. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a type of benefit provided to eligible employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury. SSP is designed to provide a safety net for employees who are unable to work and provide financial support during their absence.To be eligible for SSP, an employee must meet the following criteria:
Average Earnings
To be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the United Kingdom, you must earn an average of at least £120 per week. This average is calculated based on your earnings over the previous eight weeks. If an employee's average weekly earnings are less than £120, you will not be eligible for SSP. It's important to note that the £120 per week threshold only applies to SSP eligibility and not to the amount of SSP you will receive. Regardless of your average weekly earnings, you will receive the full rate of SSP if they are eligible and meet the other criteria for SSP eligibility.
Length of Absence
To be eligible for SSP, you must have been off work for at least four consecutive days (including non-working days). This means that if you're off work for less than four days due to illness or injury, you wouldn't be eligible for SSP. If you're off work for more than four days but less than seven days, the first three days are considered "waiting days" and are not covered by SSP. SSP begins on the fourth day of absence and is paid for up to 28 weeks.
Reason for Absence
To be eligible for SSP, the reason for absence must be due to illness or injury. This means that if you're is unable to work due to a health condition, you may be eligible for SSP. In some cases, you may be unable to work due to other reasons, such as caring for a dependant or attending a job interview. In these cases, you wouldn't be eligible for SSP.
Notification to Employer
You must inform your employer of your absence within seven days, or as soon as is reasonably practicable. Your employer may ask for proof of illness, such as a fit note from a doctor.
It's important to note that statutory sick pay is not a right that employees can claim, you must claim it through your employer. Some employers choose to offer more generous sick pay schemes, but they are not legally required to do so. If your employer doesn't offer SSP or a more generous scheme, you may be eligible to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you're unable to work due to illness or injury.
