Statutory Sick Pay - Payroll Information in Sudbury from Seago & Stopps Payroll Solutions Limited

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by employers to qualifying employees unable to work due to illness. In practice, most employees qualify for SSP, including part-time, casual and temporary workers.

Employers are required operate a Statutory Sick Pay scheme - and through this they can determine whether SSP is payable, work out the payment, pay the SSP to the employee, and keep records of any payments made.

Those employers whose occupational sick pay amounts equal to at least as much as SSP, or who pay their workers normally when they're off sick, can opt out of the full SSP scheme.

SSP payments are made in the same way as normal payments of wages or salary, and at the same time. Any deductions for pension contributions, student loan repayments, PAYE, NICs, and attachment of earnings orders must be made in the normal way.

In order to qualify for SSP, individuals must:

• Work as your employee, and have undertaken some work before going off sick
• Be ill for four or more consecutive days (which can include weekends or days not normally worked) - this is known as a period of incapacity for work (PIW)
• Earn at least as much as the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) for national insurance contributions
• Supply evidence of their incapacity if you require it
• Not exceed the maximum amount of SSP for the relevant period of incapacity
• Receive SSP only for days that they would normally work
• Notify you about their sickness within 7 days, or in accordance with your stated time limits

Employers need to include details about the firm's sickness policy in a written statement of employment and must also provide a copy of the statement to their employees.

We can inform you of the latest SSP rates. Seago & Stopps Payroll Solutions Limited can provide assistance with your payroll needs in Sudbury, enabling you to save time concentrate on running your business - please contact us today for further advice.