Statutory Sick Pay

To determine your eligibility you must be employed under a contract of service and you are entitled to benefits if you meet the following requirements:

• You are between the ages of 16 and 65
• You are sick for 4 consecutive days including weekends and holidays
• You are earning an average of £84 per week

You are ineligible for these benefits if you meet the following:

• You are taking part in a trade union action
• You are in legal custody
• You have been receiving Incapacity Benefits for 8 weeks prior to your illness

To apply for sick pay, you must alert your employer that you are sick no longer than seven days after you have become ill.  Your employer cannot insist that you alert them in person or that you contact them more than once a week while ill.  You may alert them by letter or phone them. 

You may also complete a Form SC2 “Employee Statement of Sickness.”  You can receive this form from your doctor or download it from the HM Revenue & Customs website. If you fail to alert your employer right away, they may withhold your benefits for the period of delay.  You may also receive disciplinary action through your employer for not alerting them in time. 

You do not have to provide evidence of illness unless you are sick for longer than seven days.  Your employer may then request a doctor’s note or statement