SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) Nightmare!

SRatzz

Thank you to everyone who replied...

You are right, the figure is not the one I quoted, but the lesser one others have said.

I think the main thing to point out about her employers behaviour in all of this is that pay has always previously been paid in full, and they have implemented this new system without staff consultation or notification.

They just seem to have dumped it on her without any notice of company procedure changes - this is what we are now looking into.

I agree with many of you that there is no right time to notify anyone of something like this - either being off work, or just going back. I am self-employed (I don't employ anyone) and I can quite see how businesses sometime struggle to strike the right balance.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted!

SRatzz

McKneff wrote: »

Surely all this is in her contract, employer handbook.

This is normal, I don't know where they get this £107 pw comes from, SSP is normally just over £85 a week.

There is no contract as such, or employer handbook!

[Deleted User]

Does your wife have a contract stating the sick pay policy?

SRatzz

Deleted_User wrote: »

Does your wife have a contract stating the sick pay policy?

No... But surely this doesn't mean the company can make the rules up as they go along.

Believe it or not, they are a firm of solicitors.

As I say, for the last 5 years, all pay has been in full for all employees...

Poppie68

A contract doesnt have to be in writing, but she would of been entitled to a written statement of her main employment terms when she first started. How long has she worked for the firm?

Sorry also meant to add, employers can change terms of employment/contracts, she needs to speak to them because they are the peopleto advise her.

Bigmoney2

Company sick pay policies (full pay/half pay etc) are often at management discretion, so even if part of a written policy/contract can still be witheld.

How long is your wife likely to be signed off sick for?

I don't know much about benefits but it might be worth looking into working tax credits or other benefits, if she's going to be off a long time, otherwise I'm afraid its a lesson learnt that income can't always be relied on so best to have something put aside just incase.

SRatzz

Poppie68 wrote: »

A contract doesnt have to be in writing, but she would of been entitled to a written statement of her main employment terms when she first started. How long has she worked for the firm?

Sorry also meant to add, employers can change terms of employment/contracts, she needs to speak to them because they are the peopleto advise her.

She has worked for them for five years. They have never given her any written paperwork about company policy etc ... (I must add that she has asked!)

We have written back to them and asked to see some documentation regarding all of this ...

We understand that companies are allowed to change their terms of contract, but there has never been any official notification to that effect.

SRatzz

Bigmoney2 wrote: »

Company sick pay policies (full pay/half pay etc) are often at management discretion, so even if part of a written policy/contract can still be witheld.

How long is your wife likely to be signed off sick for?

I don't know much about benefits but it might be worth looking into working tax credits or other benefits, if she's going to be off a long time, otherwise I'm afraid its a lesson learnt that income can't always be relied on so best to have something put aside just incase.

We are due to see a specialist, and her issue could mean a lengthy surgery recovery period...

We've looked into benefits re council tax etc., but they do not have a policy to help with SSP, it would be all or nothing. Meaning that we have to apply to see what they can do with out income.

I would have to supply full accounts, bank statements, expenditure records, etc ... They didn't seem too hopeful that they would be able to help.

Putting "money aside" is not an option. That's why a lot of us are here!

lovinituk

SRatzz wrote: »

We understand that companies are allowed to change their terms of contract, but there has never been any official notification to that effect.

It doesn't really change anything. The best you can hope for is they get a slap on the wrist for not informing you sooner but nothing is going to make them pay more than the statutory that is required.