Are employees entitled to SSP while self-isolating or shielding?

Written by Crystal HR & Payroll

22 Jan 2021

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A number of our clients are asking "Are employees entitled to SSP while self-isolating or shielding?" and as cases are on the rise this is likely to be more and more relevant to more employers.

In short, if your employee is sick or unable to work due to coronavirus, (Covid-19), then you must pay them a minimum of Statutory Sick Pay, (SSP), if they are eligible.

Where an employee is clinically extremely vulnerable and unable to work due to receiving a notification advising them to shield, employers can furlough them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme if they are eligible. As a minimum, the employee must be paid SSP if they are eligible.

Where the employee is eligible for SSP, SSP must be paid from the first day your employee is absent from work if they are self-isolating due to coronavirus, which can be due to:

Testing positive for Covid-19
Have symptoms of Covid-19
Someone in their household or bubble has tested positive for Covid-19 or someone in their household has symptoms of Covid-19
They have been notified by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate or they are aware they have come into contact with someone who is displaying symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19.

How long can an employee self-isolate?

Another question we are asked is how often or how long an employee can self-isolate and how often employers can claim Statutory Sick Pay, (SSP).

In short, your employee may be required to self-isolate several times and providing they meet the eligibility requirements you must pay them a minimum of SSP for a period of two weeks if you are a small or medium employer as long as the reason for absence is related to Covid-19. This applies to each employee who meets the eligibility requirements.

Employers should keep records of periods of absence as evidence of the SSP payments and how the employee has met the eligibility requirements.

Your employee can get an isolation note as evidence of self-isolation. It is recommended employers use their own judgement around the evidence they will accept where an employee is required to self-isolate. You can check an isolation note by using the check an isolation note service.

If you need help or support with this topic or are just looking to get help with your payroll, perhaps now is the time to move your payroll to Crystal HR & Payroll Ltd. Contact us for a no obligation chat, or get an instant quote

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