- STATUTORY SICK PAY
- Andrew Harrop
- 28 June 2021
- Welfare , Inequality , Health
The statutory sick pay scheme has major problems that need to be addressed, many of which have been highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Almost all rich nations – except the USA – have systems of compulsory sickness payments. But the UK’s system is unusual: it is the least generous; and it pools very little risk between employers. This report puts forward a number of recommendations for reform.
Options include:
- Pay a higher flat rate.
- Create earnings-related sick pay.
- End waiting days for statutory sick pay.
- Paying statutory sick pay to people on low incomes.
- Improve sickness payments for the self-employed and part-time workers.
This report was commissioned by the TUC and first published at www.tuc.org.uk
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