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Sick pay - whose responsibility?

Aug 16 2007

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has been established for well over 20 years now and the rules are generally well known and understood by wages departments. That, of course does not mean to say that mistakes do not happen.

The most basic rules are that SSP is not payable to someone earning less (on average) than £84pw (the lowest earnings limit= LEL); it is payable for the fourth and subsequent days of absence; there are rules about linking periods of absence which mean that payment of SSP may be paid from the first day of a linked absence; it is payable for a maximum of 28 weeks (this can include linked periods payments) and is currently £70.05 per week.

An employer can withhold SSP for a number of reasons including sickness notification is made late; evidence of incapacity is not provided or evidence of incapacity is not satisfactory. Employees can appeal against non-payment of SSP.

As you have not detailed what your problem is but I would let your employer know of your concerns and ask for an explanation. That may well resolve your problem - if not then raise a formal grievance.

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