Contract worker facing 1 months lay off for operation - sick pay?

AstroTurtle

This is usually why contractors get better daily rates because you get no benefits and it's up to you (your company) to set money aside for such events.

Seen this happen multiple times with the PPI contractors who get £150-£250 a day to log PPI complaints through Umbrella companies and don't realise they have no holiday pay, sick pay, benefits etc as it's up to them to set a portion of that money aside for such instances.

Doshwaster

AstroTurtle wrote: »

This is usually why contractors get better daily rates because you get no benefits and it's up to you (your company) to set money aside for such events.

Seen this happen multiple times with the PPI contractors who get £150-£250 a day to log PPI complaints through Umbrella companies and don't realise they have no holiday pay, sick pay, benefits etc as it's up to them to set a portion of that money aside for such instances.

...or receive any employer pension contributions either.

A good practice is to have 3-6 months of living expenses put aside for the times when you can't work, don't want to work (holiday) and are unable to find work between contracts. Long term you can maintain this fund by putting aside, say, 20% of your income but it can be tough to build that safety net when you start contracting.

Of course there are advantages of contracting. You can choose how much you work just long as you can make enough money in the time you are working to cover you for the rest of the year.

insectseige

Thanks for the replies. Yes I like many others had to change to an Umbrella from a Ltd company in order to carry on working with the NHS.
As a Ltd Co. I had insurance for this sort of thing but working under IR35 as an umbrella has meant my income has drastically fallen and there's no way i could afford extra premiums or putting money aside.
I do have some holiday pay but it seems to be the case that as I had to end my contract due to the impending operation, I won't qualify for sick pay as I am not currently within a contract - catch 22 really.

How about any other benefits, my NI stamp, anything?
I'm certainly going to ensure I get out of agency/Locum work after this. 4.5 years of doing this and it now barely pays the bills after travel and accommodation.

TBagpuss

You may be eligible for ESA. The benefits board will be able to help you. I think if you are claiming then you will get NI credits during the claim.

Comms69

insectseige wrote: »

I'm working as an agency Radiotherapist through an umbrella company currently on a 2 months plus contract.
I have an operation scheduled for early next month which will mean a one month recovery time unable to work.
My current contract was due to finish just before the operation but I was offered an extension which I've had to turn down.
My question is about sick pay.
I have to end my contract as I'll no longer be able to work, it's not like I can just phone in sick on the day of the op as the op date is already known to me.
I am lucky in that my father in law can lend my wife and I some cash to get us through the month but can I also claim statutory sick pay for this period?
As far as I understand the Umbrella company would cover me for any periods of sickness over 3 days but because of the nature of this sickness I have to end my contract so won't actually be working for them at the time.
So the operation will render me unable to work so I've had to end my contract as I'll be unable to work.
Any help would be appreciated.

And actually the operation may not be covered by sick leave. But that aside.


Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to being in essence 'self employed', the upside being the extra money ofcourse. Which as you have now learnt needs to be saved for holidays, sickness, etc.