Employers Guide to SSP

SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) is available to all eligible employees, the current rate is £99.35 per week for up to 28 weeks.

Holiday pay is still accrued when an employee is off sick. (No matter how long they are off).

For employees to be eligible they would need to be off for 4 or more consecutive days, have minimum earnings of £123 per week and they would need to provide notice and proof of sickness, have an employment contract, and have done some work under their contract.

The first 3 days of sickness are called waiting days and are not paid.

Exceptions for not qualifying for SSP

• Have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 Weeks)
• Are getting SMP or Maternity Allowance
• Are off work for a Pregnancy related illness in the 4 weeks before the week that their baby is due.
• Were in custody or on strike on the first day of sickness (including any linked periods)
• Are working outside of the EU and you’re not liable for their National Insurance contributions
• Received employment and support allowance within 12 weeks of starting or returning to work.

Linked period of sickness

If the employee has regular periods of sickness, they may count as “Linked”. To be linked, the periods must:

• Last 4 or more days each
• Be 8 weeks or less apart
• The employee is no longer eligible for SSP if they have continuous series of linked periods that last more than 3 years.

If an employee is no longer eligible for SSP

If an employee is no longer eligible for SSP then you will need to give them an SSP1 form.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1104889/ssp1-interactive.pdf

you must send this form:

• Within 7 days of the SSP ending
• On or before the beginning of the 23^rd week of Sickness
• If the employee doesn’t qualify for SSP

Notice and fit notes

The employee should tell you within a set time limit that they are off sick. You don’t have to pay SSP for any days the employee was late telling you. (Unless there’s a good reason for the delay).

Your employee must provide a fit note if they are off for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days)

Table of daily rates for SSP

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-and-thresholds-for-employers-2022-to-2023#statutory-sick-pay-ssp