sick notes HELP!

[Black sheep]

sick notes i am starting a new cleaning business so , just say i have 5 contracts ,with one cleaner on each site.Three cleaners put in sick notes,they just started 3 ,7 ,20 days apart they all have contracts with my company.they are not coning back for a few weeks .i cant afford take anyone else on to cover their sites.can i get rid and take 3 more people on or risk loosing the contracts

[BMS]

Hi Blacksheep

I wuld suggest that you try to caontact handsonaccess with this one as they are employment law experts.

The only consolation is that if their average weekly earnings for the 8 weeks prior to them going on the sick is less than £82 then you don't have to pay SSP anyway.

[karencrossley]

Did you give them a contract of employment and/or offer letter which states "probationary period"? If so, you are by law able to give them a weeks notice or a weeks' pay in lieu of notice and dismiss them.

If however, you didnt do this (and I assuming that they have been employed for less than 1 year), a weeks notice or pay in lieu of this notice is ok to do.

In the meantime, you can advertise and take on new staff.

[Eagle]

Slackers... sack 'em! ;)