In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world have introduced various measures to support individuals who are unable to work due to illness In the United Kingdom, one such measure is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), which is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury The government has made several changes to the SSP scheme in response to the pandemic, in order to provide additional support to those who need it
One of the key changes to SSP is the introduction of a new rule that allows employees to claim SSP from the first day of illness, rather than having to wait for three days before becoming eligible This change is designed to encourage people to stay at home if they are feeling unwell, in order to prevent the spread of illness in the workplace It also provides immediate financial support to employees who may be struggling due to being off work sick
Another important change to SSP is the introduction of a new online system for employers to use when reporting employees’ sickness absences This system, known as the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme Direct, allows employers to report employees’ sickness absences and calculate SSP payments online, rather than having to do so manually This not only makes the process quicker and more efficient for employers, but also ensures that employees receive the correct amount of SSP that they are entitled to.
In addition to these changes, the government has also announced that SSP will be paid to employees who are self-isolating due to COVID-19, even if they do not have any symptoms statutory sick pay changes. This is intended to support individuals who are following government guidelines to self-isolate in order to prevent the spread of the virus, even if they are not actually ill themselves This change recognises the importance of self-isolation in controlling the spread of COVID-19, and provides financial support to those who are following this guidance.
Furthermore, the government has extended SSP to include employees who are shielding due to being clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 This means that individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus, and have been advised to shield by the government, are eligible to receive SSP if they are unable to work from home This provides additional support to those who are at greater risk from COVID-19, and ensures that they are not penalised financially for following government advice to shield.
It is important for both employers and employees to be aware of these changes to SSP, in order to ensure that individuals receive the support that they are entitled to Employers should familiarise themselves with the new rules around SSP, and make use of the online reporting system to ensure that they are calculating and paying SSP correctly Employees should also be aware of their rights to SSP, and should not hesitate to claim it if they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
Overall, the changes to SSP introduced by the government are designed to provide additional support to employees who are unable to work due to illness, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic By making SSP available from the first day of illness, introducing an online reporting system for employers, and extending SSP to those who are self-isolating or shielding, the government is ensuring that individuals receive the financial support that they need during this challenging time By navigating these changes effectively, employers and employees can work together to support each other and promote a safe and healthy working environment.