UK Statutory Sick Pay for Covid-19
As Covid-19 continues to spread and the UK Government have moved into the ‘Delay’ phase, there have been some temporary adjustments to Statutory Sick Pay.
Please note - the information in this article is subject to change, possibly on a daily basis.
For additional knowledge articles relating the the Covid-19 epidemic, please visit - Fourth Products and Covid-19
Statutory Sick Pay is payable from day 1 of sickness
On 4th March, the Prime Minister announced that people who are off work or told to self-isolate would be entitled to receive SSP from day 1. Current legislation states that SSP is payable from the 4th day of sickness.
Is this Official?
No, this change has not yet been laid in front of parliament and a legislative change has not officially been agreed. It is thought that this will form part of the Covid-19 Emergency Bill which has not yet been finalised, however, it is anticipated that the changes are intended to have retrospective effect from 13th March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-bill-what-it-will-do/what-the-coronavirus-bill-will-do
Statutory Sick Pay for Employees who Self-Isolate
During the Budget on the 11th March, it was confirmed that employees who follow the advice given by the Government to self-isolate will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.
Is this Official?
Yes, Legislation has been passed twice so far in relation to this change. The ‘Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 was laid before Parliament on the 12th March and came into Force on the 13th March.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/287/pdfs/uksi_20200287_en.pdf
The 13th March Amendment referred to people who were self-isolating because of possible infection or contamination with Covid-19 and self-isolation must be in line with guidance published by Public Health England, NHS National Services Scotland or Public Health Wales which was 7 days.
The ‘Statutory Sick Pay (General) Coronavirus Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2020 were laid before parliament on 16th March 2020 and came into force on the 17th March 2020. This amendment extends the number of days that employees who self-isolate can receive SSP for from 7 to 14
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/304/pdfs/uksi_20200304_en.pdf
Employers with less than 250 employees can claim back SSP
Support for small and medium-sized businesses was announced during the UK Budget. The government have confirmed that they will refund 2 weeks SSP per eligible employee who has been absent from work because of Covid-19.
The size of the employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28th February 2020.
Do employees have to provide Fit notes?
Legislation states that employees can self-certify for the first week of sickness. This doesn’t change for employees who are self-isolating or sick due to Covid-19.
For the second week of sickness, employees should provide a Covid-19 fit note which can be obtained via 111online.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Is this official?
No, this change has not yet been laid in front of parliament and a legislative change has not officially been agreed. It is thought that this will form part of the Covid-19 Emergency Bill which has not yet been finalised, however, it is anticipated that the changes are intended to have retrospective effect from 13th March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
As Covid-19 continues to spread and the UK Government have moved into the ‘Delay’ phase, there have been some temporary adjustments to Statutory Sick Pay.
Please note - the information in this article is subject to change, possibly on a daily basis.
For additional knowledge articles relating the the Covid-19 epidemic, please visit - Fourth Products and Covid-19
Statutory Sick Pay is payable from day 1 of sickness
On 4th March, the Prime Minister announced that people who are off work or told to self-isolate would be entitled to receive SSP from day 1. Current legislation states that SSP is payable from the 4th day of sickness.
Is this Official?
No, this change has not yet been laid in front of parliament and a legislative change has not officially been agreed. It is thought that this will form part of the Covid-19 Emergency Bill which has not yet been finalised, however, it is anticipated that the changes are intended to have retrospective effect from 13th March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-bill-what-it-will-do/what-the-coronavirus-bill-will-do
Statutory Sick Pay for Employees who Self-Isolate
During the Budget on the 11th March, it was confirmed that employees who follow the advice given by the Government to self-isolate will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.
Is this Official?
Yes, Legislation has been passed twice so far in relation to this change. The ‘Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 was laid before Parliament on the 12th March and came into Force on the 13th March.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/287/pdfs/uksi_20200287_en.pdf
The 13th March Amendment referred to people who were self-isolating because of possible infection or contamination with Covid-19 and self-isolation must be in line with guidance published by Public Health England, NHS National Services Scotland or Public Health Wales which was 7 days.
The ‘Statutory Sick Pay (General) Coronavirus Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2020 were laid before parliament on 16th March 2020 and came into force on the 17th March 2020. This amendment extends the number of days that employees who self-isolate can receive SSP for from 7 to 14
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/304/pdfs/uksi_20200304_en.pdf
Employers with less than 250 employees can claim back SSP
Support for small and medium-sized businesses was announced during the UK Budget. The government have confirmed that they will refund 2 weeks SSP per eligible employee who has been absent from work because of Covid-19.
The size of the employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28th February 2020.
Do employees have to provide Fit notes?
Legislation states that employees can self-certify for the first week of sickness. This doesn’t change for employees who are self-isolating or sick due to Covid-19.
For the second week of sickness, employees should provide a Covid-19 fit note which can be obtained via 111online.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Is this official?
No, this change has not yet been laid in front of parliament and a legislative change has not officially been agreed. It is thought that this will form part of the Covid-19 Emergency Bill which has not yet been finalised, however, it is anticipated that the changes are intended to have retrospective effect from 13th March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
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