Employment Law: the Basics

5. Sickness

5.1 You must pay statutory sick pay (SSP) to qualifying workers (including part-time, full-time and agency workers) for up to 28 weeks).

• Workers qualify from the fourth day of incapacity onwards.
• They must earn more than the lower earnings limit of £97 a week.
• You can withhold SSP under certain circumstances.

5.2 Many employers pay higher levels.

• It is common to continue with full pay for a given period, often up to six months.

5.3 If a worker's continued or repeated absences are causing problems, in certain circumstances you can end their employment.

• The worker might take you to a tribunal, so you must be able to prove your actions were reasonable.

5.4 The 'fit note' is issued by doctors and will indicate whether an individual:

• is not fit for work.
• may be fit for work.