Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsSickness absenceOccupational HealthSick pay

Few employees aware of statutory sick pay entitlement

by Ashleigh Webber 30 Jan 2018
by Ashleigh Webber 30 Jan 2018

Only 4% of employees know how much statutory sick pay they are entitled to, according to a health insurer, leaving many people at risk of struggling financially if they had a long-term condition.

A survey by Direct Line Life Insurance found that many workers mistakenly believed they would receive their full salary if they fell ill.

Despite almost half (43%) of companies reducing wages to statutory sick pay after a person has been off sick for two weeks, 8% of employees claimed that they had never heard of statutory sick pay. Employees are eligible to receive it at a rate of £89.35 per week for up to 28 weeks.

Statutory sick pay

Statutory sick pay

In what circumstances can an employee claim statutory sick pay?

The survey of 112 HR professionals also discovered that 21% of firms that pay bonuses will withhold these if an employee has been on long-term sick leave. A third will pay bonuses on a pro-rata basis if an employee is unwell.

Trevor Bush, head of Direct Line Life Insurance, said: “This research highlights a worrying disconnect between people’s expectations and what they would actually be entitled to if they were to unexpectedly fall ill.

“Statutory sick pay is significantly lower than the national average salary and people are only eligible for 28 weeks, so those with long-term conditions could find themselves struggling financially if they are unable to work for a long period of time.”

Around 92% of HR professionals said they would require some form of formal documentation from a GP to authorise sick leave, whilst 36% required more paperwork if the absence was for a more unusual reason.

Last week the European Committee of Social Rights found that statutory sick pay arrangements in the UK are in breach of its legal obligations under the European Social Charter. It said that, in many cases, sick people were receiving less than 40% of the UK’s median income – a situation it described as “manifestly inadequate”.

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor of OHW+ and HR and wellbeing editor at Personnel Today. Ashleigh's areas of interest include employee health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and skills development. She has hosted many webinars for Personnel Today, on topics including employee retention, financial wellbeing and menopause support. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport magazines, touching on some of the employment and wellbeing issues experienced by those in road haulage.

previous post
EasyJet boss takes pay cut to show gender balance commitment
next post
BBC to close presenter gender pay gap by 2020

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Employers hit by payroll cyberattack receive ultimatum

7 Jun 2023

Personnel Today Awards 2023: entry deadline extended

7 Jun 2023

CBI members vote to support renewal plans

6 Jun 2023

Government responds to umbrella company call for evidence

6 Jun 2023

Gender pensions gap is more a ‘gaping chasm’

6 Jun 2023

All in it together: the role of employers...

6 Jun 2023

UKG buys global payroll provider Immedis

6 Jun 2023

BBC, Boots and BA see employee data hit...

6 Jun 2023

Why embracing big data is HR’s key to...

6 Jun 2023

Portugal launches four-day week trial

6 Jun 2023

  • The HR Bundle: Your one-stop guide to building a successful global HR Department PROMOTED | Get your hands on Deel’s free HR bundle...Read more
  • The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Programme PROMOTED | EAPs support employees in a range of ways...Read more
  • Intergenerational working and how to manage up and down the generations PROMOTED | The benefits and challenges of intergenerational workplaces...Read more
  • Bereavement in the workplace: How training can help HR get it right PROMOTED | HR professionals play an essential role...Read more
  • UK workforce mental wellbeing needs PROMOTED | The mental wellbeing support employers are providing misses the mark...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today