Two million low-paid workers could receive statutory sick pay for the first time.
Currently, employees must earn at least the equivalent of 14 hours on the minimum wage to qualify, however, the government is looking at extending that eligibility to those earning below this threshold. There could also be more help for those returning to work after sick leave.
The government has launched a consultation on the proposed changes and further details can be found on the gov.uk website. The consultation will close on 7th October 2019. Workers currently need to earn at least £118 a week to receive statutory sick pay, although the threshold is reviewed every tax year.
It is unclear if the plans would benefit “gig” workers on freelance or short-term contracts, but the Department for Work and Pensions said the consultation did not seek to “undermine the flexibility in the UK labour market”.
Around 1.1 million people in the UK are considered gig economy workers, receiving little or no holiday or sick pay.
- To qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP) you must be classed as an employee
- Agency workers are also entitled to SSP
- You need to earn at least £118 per week to be eligible for SSP
- You need to have been ill for at least four days in a row, including non-working days to claim SSP
- SSP is currently £94.25 a week. If your employer has a sick pay scheme you may get more
- The maximum amount of time you can claim SSP for is 28 weeks
- The government is also looking at making statutory sick pay more flexible, as it seeks to reduce the number of people quitting work after a period of sickness.
- Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job after a sickness absence lasting at least four weeks, it said.
- It will explore allowing phased returns to work, in which people would continue to receive statutory sick pay, as well as offering small businesses who help employees return to work a rebate.
- It will also consider whether to change legal guidance to encourage employers to intervene early during a period of sickness absence.
- For example, employees could be given the right to request modifications to their working patterns – similar to the right to request flexible working – to help them return to work.
