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Sick Leave

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid to employees unable to work due to sickness. Employers are liable for up to 28 weeks of SSP.

To qualify for SSP, an employee must:

• be sick for at least four days in a row (including weekends and bank holidays)
• earn at least £87 per week before tax and NIC, averaged for at least eight weeks before sickness – this is called the Lower Earnings Limit and is different from the base earnings level for tax and NIC
• work for you for at least one day a week – there are exceptions for complex shift patterns which can be found on www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ssp.htm#a
• have at least begun work with you
• have informed you within seven days of the first day of sickness

Non qualifying employees can claim Incapacity Benefit and in such cases, employers must send a form SSP1 to the Jobcentre Plus Office.

The standard rate of SSP is £72.55 a week

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