NHS - Sick Pay & Probation

Andybooth23

Hi all,

Just a quick question as the NHS Handbook is of no use!

If you're within your probation period at the NHS do you receive your entitlement of full sick pay?

If not, do you receive if if you've been in continuous service?

I was at a previous NHS org for around 2 years with just one days absence and have come across to a new org and have had to have the last week off, and I'm 5 months into my 6 months probation there with over 2 years continuous  service. Would I be looking at full pay, or SSP?

Marcon

Andybooth23 said:

Hi all,

Just a quick question as the NHS Handbook is of no use!

If you're within your probation period at the NHS do you receive your entitlement of full sick pay?

If not, do you receive if if you've been in continuous service?

I was at a previous NHS org for around 2 years with just one days absence and have come across to a new org and have had to have the last week off, and I'm 5 months into my 6 months probation there with over 2 years continuous  service. Would I be looking at full pay, or SSP?

The Handbook might not help, but I'd expect you to have a contract of employment which should tell you. Have you checked it (assuming you can lay hands on it!)? If that still doesn't help, asking your employer is surely the quickest way to a definitive answer?

Andybooth23

Marcon said:

Andybooth23 said:

Hi all,

Just a quick question as the NHS Handbook is of no use!

If you're within your probation period at the NHS do you receive your entitlement of full sick pay?

If not, do you receive if if you've been in continuous service?

I was at a previous NHS org for around 2 years with just one days absence and have come across to a new org and have had to have the last week off, and I'm 5 months into my 6 months probation there with over 2 years continuous  service. Would I be looking at full pay, or SSP?

The Handbook might not help, but I'd expect you to have a contract of employment which should tell you. Have you checked it (assuming you can lay hands on it!)? If that still doesn't help, asking your employer is surely the quickest way to a definitive answer?

''Please note that during your probationary period, the following policies (or equivalent in your Division) will not apply; Solving Problems at Work, Sickness Absence and Managing Work Performance, although you will still be required to comply with some of the procedures set out in these policies and where this is applicable the policy will state this. This does not affect your statutory rights''

All the joy I have from it!  

Yes I will be checking this week, although HR are not the speediest! Just was a speculative one in case someone knew from experience

TheSpiddalKid

The rules of sick pay are set by the Agenda for Change handbook and any Probation is a matter of local policy. There isn't anything in the Agenda for Change handbook which would allow the ability to withhold sick pay for staff during probation. 

Undervalued

"Probation" has very little meaning in employment law but it may have certain terms and conditions or additional benefits if or when it is past. Your contract and / or handbook or other particulars of employment should make this clear. If, as you say, they don't then I can only suggest asking your HR department.

Company sick pay however is almost always "discretionary" these days. Your terms and conditions will set maximum amounts (which may increase with length of service) but the employer nearly always has the  discretion to pay less or none at all.

 SSP is not payable for the first three days of absence.

FBaby

If you have continuous service, you should be paid in full. For continuous service to apply when changing jobs, you need no more than a week off in between, including weekends.