We’re preparing to launch a new national organising campaign for a better sick pay system across the UK.

 

Here’s why:

 

1. Statutory Sick Pay is the money you are entitled to if you are employed but get sick and can’t work. It is less than £100 per week  and nowhere near enough to cover the bills and other living costs.
2. Around half of employers only provide Statutory Sick Pay, so millions of workers - mainly low income and key workers such as cleaners and carers - face financial hardship if they get sick, whether that's long-term or just a few days.
3. Statutory Sick Pay is only available from the fourth day of illness, so you lose over half a week’s wages before getting anything.
4. You’re also only entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from an employer with whom you earn more than £120 per week. This applies even if you earn more than this from multiple employers, like many cleaners. Nearly two million people fall through this loophole and get no sick pay at all.
5. This means for millions of us, getting sick means struggling to pay the bills. Taking time off to get better may not be an option, which puts at risk our own wellbeing, and the safety of our colleagues and families.

 

What we’re calling for:

1. Higher Statutory Sick Pay, in line with living costs, and the living wage.
2. An end to the four-day wait, so everyone can get it from day one of being unwell.
3. Abolition of the earnings threshold, so all workers are entitled to sick pay.

 

What you can do:

We’ll be launching the campaign soon. Sign up here to stay up to date with campaign news and how you can help bring about better sick pay for everyone.