Two million low-paid workers could be entitled to statutory sick pay under the new proposals which the government hopes will motivate more people with disabilities a long term conditions back into work.
Currently employees must earn the equivalent of 14 hours on minimum wage to get statutory sick pay. The government is now looking into if they should extend the eligibility.
Around 100,000 people every year fall out of work completely after a sickness leave. Out of these people, 44% are off work due to illness for a year and do not go back.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We need to remove the barriers that stop people with disabilities or health conditions from reaching their full potential – these steps will help us achieve that.”
For sick pay you have to be classes as an employee and earn at least £118 per week. You also need to have been ill for four days in a row. Statutory sick pay is £94.95 a week unless your employer has a sick pay scheme you could get more. The maximum amount of time you can claim SSP for is 28 weeks.
Matthew Fell, the CBI’s chief UK policy director, said: “Managing sickness absence effectively and reducing it through proactive health and wellbeing initiatives and policies makes good business sense. Where this helps disabled people to contribute their best at work it can also be an important part of employers’ diversity and inclusion efforts.
“With the UK’s productivity performance under the spotlight, many employers know that a well thought out health and wellbeing strategy can help boost performance and make their company a better place to work.
“Adding greater flexibility to statutory sick pay so it supports mental as well as physical health makes sense, and reflects the reality that one in four people will experience such an illness each year.”
