As an employee on a zero hours contract, you may be wondering how sick pay works for you. Since you are not guaranteed a set number of hours, you may be concerned about what happens when you fall ill and can’t work. In this article, we will discuss the basics of sick pay on zero hours contracts and what you need to know.
What Is Sick Pay?
Sick pay is a form of compensation that employers provide to their employees when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. Sick pay can take various forms, including statutory sick pay (SSP), contractual sick pay, occupational sick pay, and more.
Statutory Sick Pay
Statutory sick pay (SSP) is the minimum amount of sick pay that an employer must provide to an employee. SSP is paid to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury and have earned at least £120 per week. Currently, the rate of SSP is £95.85 per week and is paid for up to 28 weeks.
Sick Pay on Zero Hours Contract
As an employee on a zero hours contract, you are entitled to sick pay if you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above. However, since you are not guaranteed a set number of hours, your sick pay entitlement may be lower than that of a full-time employee.
For example, if you only work two hours per week, your SSP entitlement will be lower than that of a full-time employee who works 40 hours per week. The amount of SSP will be calculated based on your average earnings for the previous eight weeks or the duration of your employment, whichever is shorter.
Contractual Sick Pay
Some employers may offer contractual sick pay, which means that they may supplement SSP by offering additional sick pay to their employees. However, the terms and conditions of contractual sick pay will vary from employer to employer.
Occupational Sick Pay
If you are working on a zero hours contract and have been working for a company for a long time, you may be entitled to occupational sick pay. Occupational sick pay is paid by employers and is usually more generous than SSP or contractual sick pay. However, eligibility for occupational sick pay will depend on the terms and conditions of your contract of employment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are an employee on a zero hours contract, you are entitled to SSP if you meet the eligibility criteria. However, since you are not guaranteed a set number of hours, your sick pay entitlement may be lower than that of a full-time employee. Some employers may offer contractual sick pay, and you may be entitled to occupational sick pay if you have been working for a company for a long time. It is advisable to read your employment contract carefully to understand your sick pay entitlements.