Mon, 03 Mar 2025

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 Low-paid workers to get right to 80% of salary in sick pay

Those currently earning less than £123 a week are currently not eligible for sick pay.

* Over 1 million low-paid workers in the UK will be entitled to 80% of their weekly salary as sick pay from the first day of illness.
* Current rules require a worker to have been ill for at least 3 days and earn an average of £123 per week to qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP).
* The government's plans aim to boost living standards and keep people off benefits, but some businesses warn that allowing SSP from the first day could lead to higher staff absenteeism.
* Smaller firms may struggle with increased disruption to customers due to staff absence.
* Some groups are calling for sick pay for the lowest paid workers to be set at no less than 95% of their weekly pay.
* The changes are part of a number of updates to the Employment Rights Bill, which aims to improve sick pay and give workers greater rights.
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