help please - ssp

lottielou88

Hi, I'm new to the board but I hope somebody can help me.

I have been off work since 10/06/2010 with what the Doctor says is Gastroentiritis. On 14/06/2010 I received a phone call from my place of work accusing me of lying (although when I asked why they thought that they couldn't tell me!) so I swiftly went to my GP and requested a sick note, which I sent in with a colleague who lives across the road the very next day. My symptoms are no better today so I have another appointment with my GP to see what we can do.

My query is whether or not I will be eligible for SSP? I work on a long term temporary contract through an agency (been there since Feb 09) and although they are aware that I am off sick, there has been no mention of SSP. I have emailed them asking what steps I need to take to claim but not had a response yet. I am also worried about rent etc - my ex partner and I broke up 3 weeks ago, and still have 3 months left on our tenancy so are still living together "as a couple" as I'm sure it would be seen, but our finances are (always have been) entirely separate. I understand that SSP is approx £79 per week, and my half of the rent alone is £247.50, let alone council tax etc.

I'm hoping to return to work asap as I really can't afford to be off, and I don't want to be seen as one of these people that is out to claim whatever they can for the sake of it, but I'm getting really worried! I've never claimed anything before so don't know where to start! I presume my exes salary will be taken into account as we still live together - he earns £14900 per year before tax. I was earning £7.33 per hour and working 37.5 hours per week.

Many Thanks

NASA_2

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Agency workers who pay Class 1 National
Insurance contributions are entitled to
SSP in the same way as other employees.
Entitlement will depend on whether you
are working on an assignment at the
time you fall sick. If you are, then you
may be entitled to SSP until the end
of your current assignment. If you are
not working when you fall sick, however,
you will not be entitled to SSP. To be
entitled to SSP:
your normal earnings must exceed
£79 a week. If your pay varies, your
entitlement depends on your average
pay over the last eight weeks; and
you must be absent from work due to
illness for at least four consecutive days.
If you qualify for SSP, it is normally paid
in the same way as your wages. It is paid
at a flat rate (currently £66.15 a week)
and can be paid for up to 28 weeks, if
your sickness lasts that long. It is not paid
for the first three days that you are on

sick leave; these are called Ôwaiting daysÕ.

McKneff

And to be honest I would put in a grievance to HR about whoever called you a liar.

DX2

lottielou88 wrote: »

Hi, I'm new to the board but I hope somebody can help me.

I have been off work since 10/06/2010 with what the Doctor says is Gastroentiritis. On 14/06/2010 I received a phone call from my place of work accusing me of lying (although when I asked why they thought that they couldn't tell me!) so I swiftly went to my GP and requested a sick note, which I sent in with a colleague who lives across the road the very next day. My symptoms are no better today so I have another appointment with my GP to see what we can do.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

Who can get Statutory Sick Pay

If you're working for an employer under a contract of service (even if you've only just started), you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if the following apply:

• you're sick for at least four days in a row (including weekends and bank holidays and days that you do not normally work)
• you're earning at least £97 a week

If you have more than one job, you may get SSP from each employer.


How to get Statutory Sick Pay

To get SSP you must:

• tell your employer that you are sick
• if required by your employer, provide some form of medical evidence, from the eighth day of your illness

How much do you get

The standard rate for SSP is £79.15 a week.
Your employer will work out a daily rate of SSP if necessary by dividing the weekly rate by the number of days you’d normally work in that week. For working out SSP the week begins with a Sunday.

lottielou88

McKneff wrote: »

And to be honest I would put in a grievance to HR about whoever called you a liar.

I was wondering about this - do I have a leg to stand on, being a temp? It was a horrible phone call - I was actually shaking once she had hung up!

McKneff

You certainly do.
Its bullying, simple, perhaps if you raise a grievance it will stop them doing it to someone one else.

lottielou88

McKneff wrote: »

You certainly do.
Its bullying, simple, perhaps if you raise a grievance it will stop them doing it to someone one else.

I'd certainly like to raise the issue, but I'm very concerned that the fact that I am a temporary member of staff means I'm easy to get rid of - they sack people willy nilly at our place, theres always someone getting shoved out am i right in thinking i'm not protected in the same way other (permanent) members of staff are?

McKneff

Why dont you have a word with your agency to clarify matters.

What kind of contract do you have,

lottielou88

ooh i'm not quite sure - it was originally for 6 months and is now open ended, which i suppose would make it easy for them to just say they don't need me any more?

McKneff

Then I would have a word with your agency.
It really is not fair that temp staff are treated like that and have to walk on eggshells in fear of losing their jobs.

Was it a manager who spoke to you or just the receptionist.

lottielou88

a manager - my team is split into two, each with a manager. my manager was on her hols (back on wed) and it was the other one who phoned me. thank you for your help, by the way