Statutory Sick Pay – Day 1 rights.
The employment Rights Act 2025, formerly known as the Employment Rights Bill, requires employers to take new action on a range of workplace themes including…
- Statutory sick pay (SSP). The change, from the current 3 day waiting period to payment beginning the 1st day of sickness absence, will apply from next week (6th April).
Go on, admit it! You’ve been to work feeling absolutely awful. Constantly reaching for that pack of tissues in your pocket whilst you desperately clutch onto the hot lemsip you’re trying not to spill mid sneeze.
Research suggests that presenteeism, the art of being at work but not really working, can exacerbate and prolong illness, decrease productivity and sometimes just plain causes a hazard to those around us(think sharing germs or using heavy machinery in a state of feverish delirium 🤒). Why might people do this you may ask ?
Because more often than not, it’s unaffordable to not be at work. particularly for those on lower income, without the security of occupational sick pay, and in those first 3 days where currently, there is no financial assistance through SSP. This is what will be changing!
Now let’s address the elephant in the room… Who’s paying for this?
It’s the employer, and unsurprisingly there are fears about the financial implications on businesses, particularly SME’s. With increasing costs associated with national insurance and business rates, fears of financial longevity are understandable.
What steps can be taken to avoid an increase in staff sickness and potentially decrease your SSP bills? What comes up time and time again, it’s what the Wellbeing at Work model is built on, is the need for workplaces to ensure there is rigorous, well thought out and meaningful support for employees to thrive and be well at work. Ensuring long term sickness is minimized and employees are able to be live and work in good health, including financial security.
Here are a few reflections to consider for the upcoming change:
- Do your staff know about the upcoming change to SSP?
- How is sickness absence and return to work implemented?
- Do staff know that SSP is paid for by the business?
- What are you doing to keep your staff well?
- What financial support is available to employees?
- How do you lead or create a culture of good health?
If you’re unsure on where to go with these questions … tap into the range of resources and support on our website, look back at the WaW criteria or speak to Matt, Stewart or Nathan for some friendly pointers in the right direction 🙂