As the calendar flips over to April 2026, there are several updates and changes to statutory sick pay that workers and employers need to be aware of Statutory sick pay (SSP) is the legal minimum amount that employers must pay their employees who are off work due to illness It’s important for both employers and employees to understand how SSP works and what changes have been made for the new tax year.
One of the major changes to SSP in April 2026 is the increase in the weekly rate From April 6th, 2026, the standard rate of SSP will be £98.98 per week, up from £96.35 in the previous tax year This means that employees who are eligible for SSP will receive slightly more money when they are off work due to illness This increase is intended to help alleviate some of the financial burden that can come with being unable to work.
To be eligible for SSP, employees must earn at least £120 per week They must also be off work for at least four consecutive days, including non-working days SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks, and it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that eligible employees receive the correct amount of SSP.
Employers are required to keep records of SSP payments and must provide employees with a written statement explaining how much SSP they will receive and for how long It is important for employers to stay on top of their responsibilities when it comes to SSP to avoid any potential legal issues down the line.
In addition to the increase in the standard rate of SSP, there are also changes to the rules around SSP waiting days Previously, employees had to wait three consecutive days before they could start receiving SSP However, from April 2026, there will no longer be any waiting days for SSP statutory sick pay april 2026. This means that employees will start to receive SSP from the first day that they are off work due to illness.
The removal of waiting days for SSP is a welcome change for employees who may have previously had to wait several days before they could start receiving financial support It ensures that employees are not financially penalized for being too unwell to work and helps to provide some much-needed security during times of illness.
Another key change to SSP in April 2026 is the introduction of mandatory fit notes for employees who are off work for more than 28 weeks Fit notes, also known as sick notes, are documents that are issued by a doctor or healthcare professional to certify an employee’s fitness for work Employers can request fit notes from employees who have been off work for more than 28 weeks to verify that they are still unable to return to work.
The introduction of mandatory fit notes for long-term sickness absences is intended to help employers manage prolonged periods of absence more effectively It ensures that there is clear communication between employees, employers, and healthcare professionals about the employee’s health status and their ability to return to work.
Overall, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 aim to provide better support for employees who are off work due to illness and to help employers manage sickness absence more effectively It is important for both employees and employers to be aware of these changes and to ensure that they are following the correct procedures when it comes to SSP.
In conclusion, statutory sick pay is a vital form of support for employees who are unable to work due to illness The changes to SSP in April 2026, including the increase in the standard rate, the removal of waiting days, and the introduction of mandatory fit notes for long-term absences, aim to improve the effectiveness of SSP and provide better support for both employees and employers By understanding these changes and ensuring compliance with SSP regulations, both employees and employers can navigate sickness absence more effectively in the new tax year