SSP or Company Sick Pay

[andoclaire]

In the light of the corana virus, which would take precedence?

We have a generous sick pay scheme for longer term employees (3 days unpaid and then up to 8 weeks at full pay, then reducing down to 50% for another 8 weeks), but the key phrase in our contracts is "at the MD's discretion".

We now have an employee off for 14 days self isolating as her son has a cough and temperature. He thinks she goes straight onto SSP, but has he set a precedent by currently paying another employee full pay for the past 7 weeks (this employee is still off sick)?

I'm confused, but trying to put everyone's best interests forward. It doesn't help that the business isn't doing great, and our goods are supplied into entertainment venues so are very affected.

 

[Newchodge]

In the light of the corana virus, which would take precedence?

We have a generous sick pay scheme for longer term employees (3 days unpaid and then up to 8 weeks at full pay, then reducing down to 50% for another 8 weeks), but the key phrase in our contracts is "at the MD's discretion".

We now have an employee off for 14 days self isolating as her son has a cough and temperature. He thinks she goes straight onto SSP, but has he set a precedent by currently paying another employee full pay for the past 7 weeks (this employee is still off sick)?

I'm confused, but trying to put everyone's best interests forward. It doesn't help that the business isn't doing great, and our goods are supplied into entertainment venues so are very affected.

If the MD has always exercised their discretion in favour of paying CSP they have created a precedent and SSP only would be a breach of contract. If they have varied on paying or not in the past can they explain their criteria?

 

[andoclaire]

If the MD has always exercised their discretion in favour of paying CSP they have created a precedent and SSP only would be a breach of contract. If they have varied on paying or not in the past can they explain their criteria?

Thank you so much for your very useful post.

No, it's always been CSP for nearly 20 years.

That was my understanding, that he'd created a precedent. The first three days are unpaid, so my understanding is that I can do that as SSP.

And I'm assuming that we can claim the SSP rate back from the government for isolation instances.

 

[Newchodge]

I believe the regulations have been changed to SSP from day 1, so yes. I don't think they have bothered to regulate for recovery of SSP yet, so keep very clear records with the intention of reclaiming when the ruled change, provided they are backdated.

 

[andoclaire]

Thank you again