As April 2026 approaches, it’s important for both employers and employees to be aware of the changes in statutory sick pay that will be coming into effect Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness The rules governing SSP are set by the government and are subject to change over time In this article, we will explore the upcoming changes to SSP in April 2026 and what they mean for both employers and employees.
One of the main changes coming into effect in April 2026 is the increase in the rate of statutory sick pay Currently, the standard rate of SSP is £96.35 per week, but this will rise to £100 per week from April 2026 This means that employees who are entitled to SSP will receive a slightly higher payment when they are off work due to illness It’s important for employers to update their payroll systems to reflect this change in the SSP rate to ensure that their employees receive the correct amount when they are off sick.
Another change to SSP in April 2026 is the extension of the waiting period before employees are eligible to receive SSP Currently, employees must be off work due to illness for at least four days in a row (including non-working days) before they can start receiving SSP From April 2026, this waiting period will be extended to seven days This means that employees will need to be off work due to illness for a longer period before they can start receiving SSP payments Employers should make sure that their employees are aware of this change so that they understand when they will be eligible for SSP if they become ill.
In addition to the changes in the SSP rate and waiting period, there are also changes to the rules around qualifying for SSP in April 2026 Currently, employees are required to earn at least £120 per week on average to be eligible for SSP From April 2026, this earnings threshold will be increased to £125 per week This means that employees will need to earn slightly more to qualify for SSP when they are off work due to illness statutory sick pay april 2026. Employers should review their payroll records to ensure that all employees who are entitled to SSP meet the new earnings threshold.
It’s also important for employers to be aware of their obligations when it comes to SSP Employers are required to pay SSP to employees who are off work due to illness for up to 28 weeks After 28 weeks, employees may be eligible for other forms of support, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Employers should keep accurate records of SSP payments made to employees and ensure that they comply with the rules set out by the government.
For employees, it’s important to understand their rights when it comes to SSP If an employee is off work due to illness and is entitled to SSP, they should notify their employer as soon as possible This will allow the employer to make the necessary arrangements to pay SSP to the employee Employees should also provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, to support their absence from work due to illness.
In conclusion, the upcoming changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 will have an impact on both employers and employees Employers should be aware of the changes to the SSP rate, waiting period, and earnings threshold, and ensure that they comply with their obligations when it comes to paying SSP to employees Employees should understand their rights when it comes to SSP and ensure that they provide the necessary documentation to support their absence from work due to illness By being aware of the changes to SSP in April 2026, both employers and employees can ensure that they are prepared for any periods of sickness that may arise
Overall, the changes to SSP in April 2026 aim to provide better support for employees who are unable to work due to illness while ensuring that employers fulfill their responsibilities to provide SSP payments It’s important for both employers and employees to keep up to date with the latest developments in SSP to ensure a smooth and efficient process when it comes to sickness absence in the workplace
Let’s all be prepared for these statutory sick pay changes coming in April 2026!