Statutory sick pay (SSP) and leave

Statutory sick pay (SSP Statutory sick pay refers to the pay an employer must give you if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid to you by your employer for up to 28 weeks, based on certain eligibility criteria - the cost of SSP is no longer able to be recovered - SSP is no longer reported to HMRC on your EPS submissions) is paid when an employee is unable to work due to an illness or injury. Employers can choose to pay more, this is occupational sick pay (OSP). Find out about qualifying for statutory sick pay.

1. Open the required company.

2. Go to Employees.

3. Select the required employee.

4. Select Leave.

5. Select Add Leave.

6. Go to Type and select Sick Leave.

7. Go to Payment and select:

   • Don't Pay: Don't pay the employee anything.

     It is a legal requirement to pay an employe SSP if they are entitled.

   • Pay as usual: Don't pay SSP, just pay the employees usual pay.

     An employee must still be paid at least the SSP amount.

   • Statutory Pay: Pay statutory sick pay Statutory sick pay refers to the pay an employer must give you if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid to you by your employer for up to 28 weeks, based on certain eligibility criteria - the cost of SSP is no longer able to be recovered - SSP is no longer reported to HMRC on your EPS submissions if the employee is entitled.

     • The average weekly earnings are calculated automatically. To change the amount, deselect Calculate Automatically and enter the amount.

     • Select the Pro Rata Rule for Absence:

       • Use Working Pattern Rule

       • 260 Rule - Deduct for days not worked

       • 260 Rule - Pay for days worked

       • 365 Rule - Deduct for days not worked

       • 365 Rule - Pay for days worked

       • Calendar Days in Period

       • Working Days in Period

     • If the payment has already been made to the employee, de select Payment Requires Process

       This only applicable to historic entries.

     • Select Top-up pay to usual amount (offsetting) and Use Assumed Pensionable Pay Assumed Pensionable Pay is a notional pensionable pay figure that is used to ensure that your pension is not affected if your pensionable pay reduces when you are away from work. It protects you if you are absent because of sickness, injury, or relevant child-related leave etc. Use of assumed pensionable pay would need to be indicated by the relevant pension provider, as it is not always used. if required.

     • Select from:

       • Describe Automatically - This is an automatic description on the payslip A statement provided by an employer to an employee, detailing their wages, deductions, and net pay for a specific pay period.This is a legal requirement under the employment rights act and should be received on or before the pay date..

       • Manual Description - You can enter a manual description, shown on the payslip.

   • Occupational Pay: Pay occupational sick based on a specific policy.

     The default occupational sick policy is selected automatically.

   • Enter the From and To dates.

     This is the period of sick leave. You can record if the absence was for AM or PM.

     Only full day absences contribute to a period of incapacity for work (PIW) Find out more.

   • Add any additional details in Notes.

   • Add any relevant files in the Documents section.

   • Select Create to finish.

Good to know...

• SSP can not be recovered.

• There needs to be a PIW and the first three qualifying days of those are waiting days which do not qualify for payment.

• SSP is always paid at a daily rate.

• SSP is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. If the employee is off sick for a period of 4 or more days within 56 days, its linked to the previous period of sickness.

• An employee is no longer eligible for SSP if they have linked periods of sickness that lasts more than 3 years.

• SSP can’t be paid at the same time as SMP Statutory Maternity Pay is the pay an employer must give to female employees on maternity leave, for up to 39 weeks..

• If there is no entitlement you should complete an SSP1 and give it to the employee. PDF

• Employees who have been paid less than 8 weeks of earnings may still qualify.

• GOV.UK Guide: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). External website

• GOV.UK Guide: Taking sick leave. External website

• GOV.UK Guide: Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). External website