statutory sick pay (SSP) is a form of payment that employees in the UK receive when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is a mandatory benefit that employers are required to provide to their employees, and it is governed by specific rules and regulations set forth by the government. In this article, we will take a closer look at what statutory sick pay is, who is eligible to receive it, how much employees can expect to receive, and how to go about claiming it.
Who is Eligible for statutory sick pay?
To be eligible for statutory sick pay, employees must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must be employed and have done some work for their employer. This includes part-time, full-time, temporary, and agency workers. Secondly, employees must have been ill or injured for at least four consecutive days, including non-working days such as weekends and public holidays. This is known as the “waiting period”. Employees must also earn at least £120 per week to qualify for SSP.
It is worth noting that employees cannot receive statutory sick pay if they are already receiving statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, paternity pay, adoption pay, or shared parental pay. In addition, employees cannot receive both statutory sick pay and statutory redundancy pay at the same time.
How Much statutory sick pay Can Employees Receive?
The amount of statutory sick pay that employees can receive is £96.35 per week as of 2021. This amount is paid by employers for up to 28 weeks. The payment is made in the same way as wages, usually monthly or weekly, and is subject to deductions for tax and National Insurance.
Statutory sick pay is paid by employers for the days that an employee would normally work. For example, if an employee works five days a week, they would receive £96.35 for each of those days. Part-time employees who work fewer days per week would receive a pro-rata amount based on their normal working pattern.
How to Claim Statutory Sick Pay
Employees who are eligible for SSP should inform their employer of their illness or injury as soon as possible. This should be done within seven days of being absent from work. Employers may have their own sick pay policy, so it is important to check with them to understand their specific requirements for claiming SSP.
To claim statutory sick pay, employees must provide their employer with a self-certification form if they are sick for less than seven days. This form can be obtained from the government’s website or through the employer. If the illness or injury lasts for more than seven days, employees must provide a doctor’s fit note to their employer, also known as a Statement of Fitness for Work. This note will confirm the employee’s condition and the expected duration of their absence from work.
Employers have the right to ask for additional medical evidence if they feel it is necessary. This could include a medical certificate from the employee’s doctor or a report from an occupational health practitioner. Employers must inform their employees of their decision to pay SSP or not within seven days of receiving the necessary evidence.
Conclusion
Statutory sick pay is an important benefit that provides financial support to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is a mandatory benefit that employers must provide to their employees, and it is subject to specific rules and regulations set forth by the government. Employees who meet the eligibility criteria can receive £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks, paid by their employer in the same way as wages.
Employees should inform their employer of their illness or injury as soon as possible and follow the necessary steps to claim statutory sick pay. By understanding the rules and regulations surrounding SSP, employees can ensure they receive the financial support they need during times of illness or injury.