SSP top up for reduced pay?

[minghis]

I have a strange one which I'm not sure about how to approach. We pay 'half pay' for staff that are off with Covid either isolating or having contracted the virus. We used to pay full pay, but have recently dropped this back to half pay as we are having to get relief staff to cover and we just can't keep paying it. To compromise we have now said we would pay 50% of their pay and review it again in a few months.

Someone has asked if they will still get SSP to 'top up' their half pay while they are off with Covid. My first reaction is no, but I'm trying to make sure I'm able to explain why.

Any ideas?

 

[Newchodge]

Anyone who is absent on sick leave must be paid SSP if they are entitled to it. That is the statutory minimum amount you must pay them. If you want to increae that amount by anything - that is entiely up to your employment contracts and you.

 

[WaveJumper]

COVID SSP rules here:
https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/what-youll-get