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Hi,

Could anyone please tell me what happens when you are signed off sick by the doctor?. My husband has just been signed off for a week. Unfortunately the company that he works for do not pay sick pay. He cannot take it as holidays as holiday requests have to be approved 28 days in advance. He will I guess, get ssp but that only kicks in after three days.

I would be grateful for any advice

Hi usually your employer will pay this (up to 28 weeks) - they may require proof (dr certificate)If they refuse or dont agree then you have course of action and advice (see links below)If you husband employer refuses SSP - print off the the form attached to the website and ask them to fill it in and sign - then send it off

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAnd ... G_10018786

I think you can self certify for the first seven days, Julie may be around a little later as she in HR and may give a definitive reply. x

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I'm sure there won't be a problem with the company paying ssp. I was just concerned about the drop in income. Will I be expeced to make it up from other allowances?

Many thanks x

I would contact your IP and explain and maybe take a small payment break to compensate the loss of income could be an option? x

If he is not likely to be off work for long, the IP should be able to arrange a temporary payment break - or even seek creditors agreement to a variation of terms if necessary.

Hi there, so sorry to hear that your husband is unwell. I hope he has a speedy recovery very soon. I can sympathise with the loss of earnings as I have been there when my husband sprained his ankle a couple of years ago and was off work for 6 weeks!

Regarding the issue of SSP, all employees are entitled to SSP as long as they are paying national insurance contributions. If you fall below the threshold then you would not be entitled to it.

Yes all companies must pay SSP but if you do not earn enough you are not entitled to it.

You are allowed to sign yourself off work for seven days (eg the first week), however if the period of sickness extends beyond 4 days then a Self Certification Form must be completed. Your husband should be able to obtain this from his HR Dept.

A doctors certificate confirming you are unfit for work must be obtained after the first seven days. You must not return to work until the certificate expires. However if you intend to return to work within those seven days you must obtain a further certificate confirming you are now fit for work!

You are also correct in stating that you do not receive SSP for the first three days. Unfortunately one two days will apply for the first week and that will be £25.75 per day. For a whole week it is now £128.73. (Also not this is taxable).

As Melanie has suggested I would recommend you contact your IP and see if either you can have a payment break or if your monthly payment can be reduced in some way.

Good luck and I wish you all well.

xxx

MissyP - SSP is £81.60 per week

the amount you quoted is Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay.

Love from another HR specialist[:D]

Hi - just to add to the great advice, an employee can declare themselves fit to work at anytime.They do not need a GP to assess and "sign you back to work", however the employer may refer to their own GP for confirmation of fitness.

The doctors notes are different these days - I can't remember exactly what they say but it is not a 'sick' note as such now.

I believe that if you are off for more than 28 days though you have to get your doctor to say that you are fit for work.

I think it's called a 'Fit to work' note - I had one last year.

Its a statement of fitness for work Jan.

I had one last year when I was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis (or however you spell it!) Work had to assess my work station and agree changes and I had physio (which did more harm than good) but I had to get referred by the doctor.

Hi all,

Many thanks for all your input and concern. Just to let you know that I have contacted DFD today and they have agreed to a temporary payment break for one month.
This is such a relief and everyone has been so kind so thank you all xxx

Glad you got sorted. Hopefully it will be downhill now!