In light of the ongoing global health crisis, governments around the world have been working to introduce policies to help support workers who are unable to work due to illness In the UK, one such policy is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), which provides financial support to employees who are unable to work due to illness However, recent changes to SSP policy have made it easier for employees to access this support.
The UK government recently announced changes to the SSP system as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic These changes are designed to make it easier for employees to access SSP and to ensure that they are not financially penalised for following public health guidance to self-isolate if they are unwell.
One of the key changes to the SSP system is the removal of the three-day waiting period for SSP eligibility Previously, employees were not entitled to SSP for the first three days of their sickness absence, known as “waiting days” However, this waiting period has been removed, meaning that employees will now be entitled to SSP from the first day of their illness.
This change is significant as it means that employees who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result will be able to access SSP immediately, without having to wait for three days before receiving financial support This is particularly important for those who may be struggling financially and cannot afford to take time off work without pay.
In addition to the removal of the waiting period, the UK government has also introduced changes to allow employees to self-certify their sickness absence for up to 28 days, without the need for a doctor’s note This change is intended to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system and to make it easier for employees to access SSP quickly and without unnecessary barriers.
Furthermore, the government has also made changes to the eligibility criteria for SSP, so that employees who are unable to work due to being advised to shield by their doctor or the government, or because they are in quarantine after returning from a high-risk country, will be entitled to SSP statutory sick pay changes. This is important for those who are following public health guidance and need financial support during their absence from work.
Overall, these changes to the SSP system are aimed at ensuring that employees who are unwell or required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 can access the financial support they need without delay By removing the waiting period, allowing self-certification of sickness absence, and expanding the eligibility criteria, the government is working to provide a safety net for workers during these challenging times.
It is important for employers to be aware of these changes to the SSP system and to ensure that they are following the new guidelines This includes updating their policies and procedures to reflect the removal of the waiting period, allowing self-certification of sickness absence, and ensuring that employees who are entitled to SSP receive it promptly.
Employers should also be mindful of their duty of care to employees who are unwell or required to self-isolate, and should work with them to ensure that they are able to access the support they need This may include offering additional financial support or flexibility around working arrangements to help employees during their sickness absence.
In conclusion, the recent changes to the SSP system in the UK are a positive step towards providing greater support to workers who are unwell or required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 By removing the waiting period, allowing self-certification of sickness absence, and expanding the eligibility criteria, the government is working to ensure that employees can access the financial support they need during these challenging times Employers should be aware of these changes and work with their employees to ensure that they are able to access SSP when needed.