Sick Pay for PAs
If you are off work sick then you might have a right to sick pay. Both physical and mental health issues can count as sickness.
Checking sick pay
Your contract should tell you:
- How much sick pay is paid
- How long sick pay can last
- Any rules the employer has for using sick pay
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount employers must pay. If an employer pays more than SSP it’s known as ‘company’, ‘contractual’ or ‘occupational’ sick pay.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
By law, employers must pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to employees and workers when they meet eligibility conditions, including when:
- They’ve been off sick for at least 4 days in a row, including non-working days
- They earn on average at least £123 a week, before tax
- They’ve told their employer within any deadline the employer has set or within 7 days
Agency, casual and zero-hours workers can get SSP if they meet the eligibility conditions.
What do I do if I am ill and can’t work?
If you are ill and can’t work you should tell your employer as soon as possible so that they can arrange for cover to be provided while you are off. Your employer might have a specific procedure around notifying them of illness, so it would be good to check your contract of employment to make sure you follow the procedure correctly.
If you are eligible for SSP then your employer is responsible for covering SSP, in full, for up to 28 weeks. You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer in time before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one).
You will need to give your employer a ‘sick note’ from your doctor or the hospital if you are off work for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days).
Next steps
Check with your employer for their policy on sick pay and take a look at the resources below on Statutory Sick Pay eligibility.