When Does Statutory Sick Pay Start?

When an employee falls ill and needs to take time off work, they may be entitled to receive statutory sick pay (SSP) from their employer However, many employees are unsure about when this entitlement begins and how it is calculated In this article, we will explore when statutory sick pay starts and what employees need to know about this important benefit.

Firstly, it is important to understand that statutory sick pay is only payable to employees who meet certain criteria To be eligible for SSP, an employee must have been off work due to illness for at least four consecutive days, including weekends and bank holidays This is known as the “qualifying period” and it is the minimum requirement that an employee must meet in order to be entitled to SSP.

Once the qualifying period has been met, statutory sick pay will start from the fourth day of absence This means that the first three days of sickness are known as “waiting days” and during this time, the employee will not be entitled to receive SSP However, some employers may have their own sick pay schemes in place which could provide payment for these waiting days.

It is worth noting that statutory sick pay is not paid for the first seven days of sickness if an employee is off work due to COVID-19 In this case, employees will be entitled to claim statutory sick pay from the eighth day of absence onwards This exception was introduced by the UK government in response to the ongoing pandemic and provides additional support to employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19.

In terms of how statutory sick pay is calculated, employees who are eligible will receive £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks This amount is paid by their employer in the same way that their regular wages are paid, for example, on a weekly or monthly basis Employers are responsible for ensuring that SSP is paid correctly and on time, and failure to do so could result in penalties from HM Revenue and Customs.

It is also important to remember that employees cannot receive statutory sick pay and furlough pay at the same time when does statutory sick pay start. If an employee is off work due to illness and is receiving SSP, they cannot be furloughed by their employer under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme However, employees who are on furlough and subsequently become ill may be entitled to receive SSP if they meet the qualifying criteria.

In some cases, employees may be entitled to receive more than the standard rate of SSP This could be due to their employment contract or company sick pay policy, which may provide for enhanced sick pay benefits Employees should check their employment contract or speak to their HR department to find out if they are entitled to any additional sick pay beyond the standard SSP rate.

Employees who are self-isolating due to COVID-19 may also be entitled to receive statutory sick pay, provided they meet the qualifying criteria This includes employees who have been advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, have symptoms of COVID-19, or are living with someone who has symptoms In these cases, SSP will start from the first day of absence and will be paid in accordance with the usual rules.

In conclusion, statutory sick pay starts from the fourth day of absence for eligible employees who have met the qualifying period Employees must be off work for at least four consecutive days due to illness in order to be entitled to SSP Employers have a legal obligation to pay SSP correctly and on time, and failure to do so could result in penalties Employees should be aware of their rights and entitlements when it comes to sick pay, and seek advice if they have any concerns or questions about their eligibility.