Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a benefit offered to employees who are too ill to work It is a legal requirement for employers in the UK to provide SSP to eligible employees for up to 28 weeks But when does statutory sick pay actually start?
SSP 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 non-working days These are known as “qualifying days” However, the first three days of absence, known as “waiting days”, are not eligible for SSP This means that SSP starts on the fourth consecutive day of sickness absence.
In order to qualify for SSP, employees must earn at least £120 per week before tax SSP is paid at a rate of £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks If an employee is earning less than £120 per week, they may not be eligible for SSP and may need to apply for other benefits such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.
Employers are responsible for keeping records of employees’ sickness absences and must provide SSP if the employee meets the eligibility criteria Employers can reclaim SSP from the government if the total amount paid out in SSP exceeds a certain threshold when does statutory sick pay start. This helps to alleviate the financial burden on employers who provide SSP to their employees.
It is important for employees to inform their employer as soon as possible if they are unable to work due to illness This allows the employer to start the process of paying SSP and ensures that the employee receives the financial support they are entitled to Employers may ask employees to provide evidence of their illness, such as a doctor’s note, in order to qualify for SSP.
SSP can be paid in conjunction with other benefits such as sick pay or maternity pay Employees who are off work due to illness or injury are entitled to SSP even if they are receiving other forms of financial support However, the total amount of SSP paid out cannot exceed the statutory limit of 28 weeks.
It is important for employees to understand their rights when it comes to SSP and to know when they are eligible to receive it By keeping accurate records of sickness absences and following the correct procedures, both employers and employees can ensure that SSP is paid out in a timely manner.
In conclusion, statutory sick pay starts on the fourth consecutive day of sickness absence and is payable for up to 28 weeks Employers are responsible for providing SSP to eligible employees, who must meet certain criteria such as earning at least £120 per week before tax By following the correct procedures and keeping accurate records of sickness absences, both employers and employees can ensure that SSP is paid out in a timely manner.