Sick pay

Correction to sick pay Q&A from December 2005

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable from the fourth day of sickness absence because the first three days are waiting days. Although a second period of absence within eight weeks can be "linked" to the first, SSP is only payable after four consecutive days of sickness absence.

In the example given, therefore, where the first absence was for three days, SSP would not be payable from day one of the second period of absence - this employee would only be entitled to SSP from day four of the second period of absence. If they had been off sick for four consecutive days in the first period of absence, then SSP would be payable from the first day of the second linked period.

Note that SSP is payable only for "qualifying days" (days which the employee would normally work).