benefits while on sabbatical

Lessa

When your company sick pay has run out you may still be entitled to statutory sick pay (google it - i cant post links yet), after that, or if you are not entitled, then you can claim employment support allowance (esa)

alexjonsson

I second what Lessa notes that you should still be entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks.

If not you should apply for ESA, as, dependent on your contributions, you may be eligible for this.

If your employer stops paying SSP they should issue you with a form SSP1 which will enable you to apply for ESA.

I can't help with any advice regarding capability hearings or capability related dismissal. This is a situation I am in myself as I've been off sick for six months and, although my employer has now started paying me at 50% due to a salary continuance insurance policy, I am constantly worried about being dismissed on the grounds of sickness-related 'non' capability.

Definitely look into applying for tax credits if you have not already done so. You are still treated as 'working' for working tax credits purposes for six months after you go off sick. Although I'm not sure if this is the case if you are dismissed during this time.

This is all genuinely useful information I have found out from this forum since going off sick. The people here have really helped my family and I in our current situation.

alexjonsson

p.s. I don't think you need to go on sabbatical, unless for some reason it's fully paid.

So long as you are getting medical certificates from your GP, leave it up to your employer how they want to handle your absence. Whatever you do, don't resign or start feeling guilty about being off work and start making rash decisions that may well come back to bite you in the future!

KatrinaK

thanks alexjonsson, i think i'll just wait and see what will happen. got another meeting with manager next week so even more stressed. got union involved, maybe they will come up with something

KatrinaK

they have their own occupational health. I've had 2 meetings already. another review in 4 weeks time

Mrs_Soup

Would your work even let you have a sabbatical? they don't sound like the sort of comapny that would allow it given they have already warned you about sickness.