Sick Pay / Holiday Pay

[Mr D]

I tried Mr D but we couldn’t agree on sickness policy.

I’m looking for opinions based on the policy given, from employers. Your criticism so far has been on employment contracts and employment law - none of which concerns you or this forum.

You’ve made your opinion that you do not agree or like his policy so please move on.

In any case any employers with views welcome to comment - the rest can go bash a keyboard on another thread.

Apparently you welcome my comments while wanting me to move on.

Reality is you do not welcome comments.

 

[Mr D]

Mr D- your comments regarding the policy are most welcome however it would appear your only interest is getting your post count higher on this forum, as its most likely your only hobby.

You’ve had your say and thank you for doing so.

Nope you have missed the point entirely. Who cares about post counts? Those with under 30 posts maybe.

 

[MikeJ]

I think quite a few of us pointed out your policy was illegal.

We give 13 weeks on full pay, then 13 weeks on half pay. SSP after that. In 18 years, we've had one issue with a guy going sick on a regular basis. While people pulling sickies is always going to be a potential issue, the last thing I'd want is someone coming to work while they're unwell. It could spread disease causing more people to be off sick, and be potentially dangerous.

 

[MikeB1977]

I think quite a few of us pointed out your policy was illegal.

We give 13 weeks on full pay, then 13 weeks on half pay. SSP after that. In 18 years, we've had one issue with a guy going sick on a regular basis. While people pulling sickies is always going to be a potential issue, the last thing I'd want is someone coming to work while they're unwell. It could spread disease causing more people to be off sick, and be potentially dangerous.

Putting aside the employment contracts and focusing more on the policy - I find it hard to see where it is illegal.

As an employee I do not have to pay anything above SSP. I am choosing to give all employees option of SSP or if the choose they can use their holiday entitlement as sick pay (ensuring a full pay packet).

Do any emoloyers have examples of other policy’s they use? Ie full pay for x number of days, thereafter SSP?

 

[nelioneil]

It’s not illegal for an employee to take holiday when sick? So unsure why this would allow me a free pass to employment tribuneral?

But you cannot force that upon the employee, the employee would need to ask for that. The default position is if someone is sick, then they are sick.

And an employer should reject those requests because they are not on holiday!

A sickness policy (whether just SSP or company sick pay) should not involve or even mention holidays.

 

[MikeB1977]

But you cannot force that upon the employee, the employee would need to ask for that. The default position is if someone is sick, then they are sick.

It wasn’t our plan to force that employee to take the sick as holiday - just give it as an option.

I think my concern is potentially the employee is entitled to a full salary for as long as they are off sick. I know 99.999% of employees are honest but the minority’s let the side down by taking advantage of a system.

However with the average worker being on £20,000 per annum - the 13 week rule would potentially leave us exposed to a £5k liability - which you could put down to part and parcel of being in business.... the other 13 weeks would then leave us further exposed for an additional £2,500.

Does SSP then kick in from 0 after the 26 weeks or do they get SSP for as long as the limit allows starting from their first paid day off sick?

 

[Newchodge]

However with the average worker being on £20,000 per annum - the 13 week rule would potentially leave us exposed to a £5k liability - which you could put down to part and parcel of being in business.... the other 13 weeks would then leave us further exposed for an additional £2,500.

I don't understand what you are talking about. What 13 week rule?

 

[MikeB1977]

Referring to Mikes policy he mentioned above.

 

[Newchodge]

SSP is payable from the 3rd working day of illness for up to 28 weeks.

 

[P19Johnson]

Hello, maybe instead of offering them to take it out their holiday when ill offer a lower pay for sick days.

As an employer myself i totally understand where you are coming from however from an employees perspective they may feel forced top come into work when they are ill to save their holidays for when they actually need it which in turn may cause you a lot more hassle than its worth i.e. illness spreading round the workforce and incidents at work.

 

[MikeB1977]

Hello, maybe instead of offering them to take it out their holiday when ill offer a lower pay for sick days.

As an employer myself i totally understand where you are coming from however from an employees perspective they may feel forced top come into work when they are ill to save their holidays for when they actually need it which in turn may cause you a lot more hassle than its worth i.e. illness spreading round the workforce and incidents at work.

Yes - having read some of the comments I do feel maybe this policy is a little harsh.

I have given it some thought and feel maybe limiting the sick pay is the way forward / however maybe only giving them the entitlement after 12 months of work.

Until such time they would remain on SSP.