Last week, the government announced that employers will be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for staff who have been off work because they’ve had Coronavirus or are self-isolating.
You can claim for both the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme for the same employee but not for the same time period.
If an employee has been off sick because of Coronavirus, they don’t have to provide you with a doctor’s note in order for you to make a claim. This is because people have been told to avoid going to the doctor if they’re displaying symptoms as this can spread the virus.
If someone has been told to self-isolate or are shielding because they’re high risk, they can give you either:
- An isolation note from NHS 111.
- The NHS or GP letter telling them to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they’re at high risk of severe illness from Coronavirus.
The scheme covers all types of employment contracts including:
- Full-time employees.
- Part-time employees.
- Employees on agency contracts.
- Employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts.
- Fixed term contracts (until the date their contract ends).
You’re only responsible for paying SSP if:
- You pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for your employee (or would do if not for their age or their level of earnings).
- Your employee was sick for four or more days in a row (including non-working days).
- Your employee has told you they’re sick within your own time limit (or 7 days if you don’t have one).
You cannot use the calculator for periods of sickness before 6 April 2011.
You can find out more information about the scheme on the gov.uk website.
You can access the Statutory Sick Pay calculator here.
If you need help completing any claims, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with PKB.
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