Over recent months we’ve updated on various changes to the rules surrounding Statutory Sick Pay (“SSP”).
There are some further changes coming on 17 March 2022 which are consistent with the UK government’s wider move away from any remaining COVID-19 related rules or policies. In a nutshell, these changes simply revert to the ‘normal’ SSP rules in place before the pandemic.
Rebate Scheme (SSP ‘claim back’)
We wrote recently about the re-opening of the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. Almost as quickly as it came back, it is now being closed.
The rebate scheme currently allows employers meeting certain criteria to claim back up to 2 weeks’ SSP for any employee’s coronavirus related sickness absence which started on or after 21 December 2021.
This scheme will close on 17 March 2022 and employers have until 24 March 2022 to submit any new claims (relating to absence up to 17 March 2022) or amend any existing claims. After this, employers will not be able to reclaim SSP payments for any employees.
“Waiting days”
On 17 March 2022, the normal SSP rules will return for all employees. At the moment, where an employee is off for 4 days or more because they are required to self-isolate, there are no “waiting days” and they are entitled to SSP from the first day of absence.
From 17 March 2022 employers should return to paying SSP from the fourth qualifying day for all employees, regardless of the reason for their sickness absence.
For more information or advice on this issue, please contact one of our specialist employment lawyers directly. Alternatively you can call 0115 9 100 200 or click here to send an email.
Posted on March 9, 2022
