SICK PAY Employers are only required to pay statutory sick pay (SSP) if you are absent because of sickness for a continuous period of four days or more. If you are absent for less than four consecutive days then you are not entitled to SSP. You may not claim SSP for more than 28 weeks in each period of sickness absence. Most employees qualify for SSP. However, if you are not entitled to SSP then you may be able to claim incapacity benefit instead. However, this claim is made via the Government and not via the employer. It is possible for an employer to pay you more than just SSP in the form of occupational or contractual sick pay. The specific sick pay terms will normally be set out in your contract of employment.
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