Sick Pay for Part Time Workers

[jazztheman]

My daughter works part time 16 Hrs a week. She had to take two weeks off because she was ill, her employer informed her that she is not entitled to sick pay for the time she took off. She was told that you have to earn £107 per week to be entitled to sick pay. Is this correct?

[renegadeimp]

No it isnt. How long has she been working there?

[jazztheman]

She's been working there for 20 years, it's a caring home.

She was previously entitled to sick pay, but the employer stated that the government have changed things recently and you now have to earn £107 to get sick pay. Which seemed strange because most changes come out in April.

[renegadeimp]

The only thing the government have changed is that part time workers now have the same rights as full time workers.

 

If you are signed off work sick by your doctor, and you have a doctors note, then after the first 3 days, you are entitled to SSP minimum.

[jazztheman]

I have found out why she is not entitled to sick pay.

 

It's the change in Lower Earnings Limit

From April 2012 the limit was changed to £107, she's earning slightly below this figure and therefore now does not pay National Insurance Contributions or Income Tax, and is now not entitled to sick pay.

[becky2585]

Your daughters employed is indeed correct, unfortunately.

 

To qualify for SSP, she must meet the NI "lower earnings limit" of £107 per week. If she doesn't earn over this amount, she doesn't qualify for SSP.

[becky2585]

Ah, cross posted.