At the time of writing, 85 people in the UK have Coronavirus. As you are probably aware, in most cases the condition is not serious, but it is known to be highly infectious.
The question for may people though is will I be paid if I am off work even if I have no entitlement to sick pay?
The Chief Medical Officer has said that an epidemic is likely, and that up to one in five people could be off work at the same time.
To avoid catching Coronavirus, you are supposed to avoid close contact with other people who have it, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
If you get Coronavirus despite these precautions, you are supposed to self-isolate – that is, stay at home – so you don’t pass it on to anyone else.
If you’re an employee and you’re off work because you’re ill, whether you are entitled to sick pay will generally depend on the terms of your contract. If there are sick pay provisions within the contract, these will apply.
If you have no contractual right to sick pay, or you have used up all your available sick leave, the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provisions will apply. You are usually entitled to SSP from the FOURTH day.
The government has stated that it doesn’t want people who ‘do the right thing’ to be financially penalised. So, in an attempt to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, they have announced that employees will get SSP from the FIRST day they are off sick.
This emergency legislation is intended to protect other people from catching the virus. Further details are yet to be announced. For example, you may need to get a PHE self-isolation notice from a doctor or NHS 111, and won’t qualify for SSP if you’re off work because you’re scared of catching the disease.
Things to be aware of
SSP is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks. This compares with the typical take home page of £277.35 (the National Living Wage) for someone who works 37.5 hours per week.
SSP covers the days you would usually work, and is paid on your normal payday with your usual tax and National Insurance deductions.
Note that your employer can’t force you to take annual leave if you’re off sick.
There are some exceptions:
- If you are on a zero-hours contract, you don’t qualify for SSP
- You have to earn an average of at least £118 per week to qualify for SSP
- You’re not entitled to SSP if you’re self-employed
How you might be affected (even if you’re not infected)
Some companies are already closing their offices or requiring staff to work from home.
For example, thousands of people from Google’s Dublin office were asked to work remotely when one employee displayed flu-like symptoms.
Also, when a Deloitte employee contracted Coronavirus on a trip to Asia, people who’d been in contact with them had to work from home, and staff who worked on the same floor were sent home so the office could be deep-cleaned.
Further reading
You might find our other articles useful:
- Are you self-employed or an employee?
- Self-employed workers and employment rights
- Your rights at work
Need help?
For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.
You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.
At the time of writing, 85 people in the UK have Coronavirus. As you are probably aware, in most cases the condition is not serious, but it is known to be highly infectious.
The Chief Medical Officer has said that an epidemic is likely, and that up to one in five people could be off work at the same time.
To avoid catching Coronavirus, you are supposed to avoid close contact with other people who have it, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
If you get Coronavirus despite these precautions, you are supposed to self-isolate – that is, stay at home – so you don’t pass it on to anyone else.
If you’re an employee and you’re off work because you’re ill, whether you are entitled to sick pay will generally depend on the terms of your contract. If there are sick pay provisions within the contract, these will apply.
If you have no contractual right to sick pay, or you have used up all your available sick leave, the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provisions will apply. You are usually entitled to SSP from the FOURTH day.
The government has stated that it doesn’t want people who ‘do the right thing’ to be financially penalised. So, in an attempt to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, they have announced that employees will get SSP from the FIRST day they are off sick.
This emergency legislation is intended to protect other people from catching the virus. Further details are yet to be announced. For example, you may need to get a PHE self-isolation notice from a doctor or NHS 111, and won’t qualify for SSP if you’re off work because you’re scared of catching the disease.
Things to be aware of
SSP is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks. This compares with the typical take home page of £277.35 (the National Living Wage) for someone who works 37.5 hours per week.
SSP covers the days you would usually work, and is paid on your normal payday with your usual tax and National Insurance deductions.
Note that your employer can’t force you to take annual leave if you’re off sick.
There are some exceptions:
- If you are on a zero-hours contract, you don’t qualify for SSP
- You have to earn an average of at least £118 per week to qualify for SSP
- You’re not entitled to SSP if you’re self-employed
How you might be affected (even if you’re not infected)
Some companies are already closing their offices or requiring staff to work from home.
For example, thousands of people from Google’s Dublin office were asked to work remotely when one employee displayed flu-like symptoms.
Also, when a Deloitte employee contracted Coronavirus on a trip to Asia, people who’d been in contact with them had to work from home, and staff who worked on the same floor were sent home so the office could be deep-cleaned.
Further reading
You might find our other articles useful:
- Are you self-employed or an employee?
- Self-employed workers and employment rights
- Your rights at work
Need help?
For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.
You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.