Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a form of payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is a legal requirement for employers to pay SSP to eligible employees, starting from the fourth consecutive day of absence from work In this article, we will discuss when statutory sick pay starts and the eligibility criteria for SSP.
When an employee falls ill or is injured and is unable to work, they are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay if they meet certain criteria SSP is paid by employers for up to 28 weeks and is intended to provide some financial support to employees who are unable to work due to illness
Statutory Sick Pay starts from the fourth consecutive day of absence from work This means that an employee must be off work due to illness for at least four days before they are entitled to SSP The first three days of absence are known as ‘waiting days’ and are not paid SSP is paid from the fourth day onwards, including weekends and bank holidays.
There are a few key points to note about when statutory sick pay starts:
1 The employee must be off work for at least four days in a row due to illness or injury.
2 The first three days of absence are unpaid, and SSP starts from the fourth day.
3 SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks, after which other forms of support may be available, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
To be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, the employee must meet the following criteria:
1 They must be classified as an employee and have done some work under their contract.
2 They must be earning at least £120 per week on average.
3 when does statutory sick pay start. They must have been off work due to illness for at least four days in a row, including weekends and bank holidays.
4 They must inform their employer of their illness and inability to work within the specified time frame.
Employers are responsible for paying SSP to eligible employees and deducting the correct amount of tax and National Insurance contributions The current rate of SSP is £96.35 per week, and it is paid in the same way as wages, usually at the employee’s normal payday.
If an employee is off work due to illness for more than seven days in a row, they may be required to provide a ‘fit note’ from their doctor This is a statement from a healthcare professional explaining the employee’s condition and confirming that they are unable to work A fit note is needed to support a claim for SSP beyond the seventh day of absence.
It is important for employers and employees to be aware of the rules surrounding Statutory Sick Pay and when it starts Employers should have a clear policy in place for managing sickness absence and paying SSP, to ensure that they comply with their legal obligations and support their employees during periods of ill health.
Employees who are unsure about their entitlement to SSP or have any concerns about their sick pay should seek advice from their employer or a relevant authority, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or ACAS It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to sick pay and to ensure that you are treated fairly and lawfully.
In conclusion, Statutory Sick Pay starts from the fourth consecutive day of absence from work and is paid for up to 28 weeks to eligible employees Employers are responsible for paying SSP and deducting the correct amount of tax and National Insurance contributions Employees must meet certain criteria to qualify for SSP and should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when it comes to sick pay By understanding when statutory sick pay starts and how it is paid, both employers and employees can ensure that they comply with the law and provide support to those who are unable to work due to illness or injury