Sickness Issues and SSP

1. Sickness Absence Payment

1.1 Employers have to pay sick pay to those employees who are entitled to it (see 3) from the fourth 'qualifying day' of sickness, at the level of statutory sick pay (SSP).

• The first SSP payment must be on the next - or, at the latest, the second - pay day after the sick leave.

1.2 Many employers pay higher levels of sick pay, well above SSP.

It is common to continue with full pay, often for up to six months, for non-manual staff.

1.3 You can opt out of SSP requirements if your company's sick pay arrangements are more generous than the legal minimum.

• You must keep detailed records.