Latest employer related updates regarding coronavirus:
Statutory sick pay is now to be paid from day one of illness.
No other changes to the amount paid or for how long – 28 weeks.
The Chancellor said that SSP for all companies with fewer than 250 employees would be refunded. No details yet on how this would work.
You would pay full sick pay as stated in your policy, once staff call in sick. Then SSP.
- Full sick pay usually includes the SSP component.
- No requirement to pay more than is in your policy.
- If you only pay SSP, you would continue to pay SSP.
Those self-isolating after contact NHS 111 or their GP should also be paid SSP. No legal entitlement to full sick pay.
If you are really struggling due to a downturn in demand you could consider the following:
- If anyone is under 2 years’ service you could just give them their notice, on the grounds of redundancy, and let them go.
- You do have to pay them in full for their notice period.
- You do not need to follow a redundancy process for staff under 2 years’ service.
- Redundancy – normal rules apply. You have to follow a consultation process of at least 3 weeks consultation. Let us know if you want to do this and we can go into it in more detail.
- Short time working and lay offs – see section 16 of your handbook.
- This will need to be agreed with staff.
