Statutory Sick Pay
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum sick pay UK employers must pay eligible employees who are off work due to illness, currently £116.75 per week for up to 28 weeks.
legal-terms
Category
beginner
Difficulty
5 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum sick pay UK employers must pay eligible employees who are off work due to illness, currently £116.75 per week for up to 28 weeks.
Detailed explanation
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum that UK employers must pay employees who are too ill to work. SSP is paid by the employer, not the government, though some may recover costs.
To qualify, employees must earn at least £123 per week, be ill for 4 or more consecutive days, notify the employer as required, and provide proof if asked (usually a fit note after 7 days).
SSP is paid after 3 waiting days at £116.75/week (2024/25) for up to 28 weeks. Many employers provide enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employee reports sick, serves 3 waiting days, employer pays SSP through normal payroll. Fit note required after 7 days. SSP continues up to 28 weeks.
Best practices
Have clear absence reporting procedures
Track waiting days accurately
Manage fit notes properly
Consider enhanced sick pay policy
Monitor long-term sickness carefully
Legal context
Legal basis
Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
Key provisions
£116.75 per week (2024/25 rate)
Paid for up to 28 weeks
3 waiting days before payment starts
Minimum earnings threshold £123/week
Employer can require proof of illness
Fit note required after 7 days
Official source
Frequently asked questions
How much is SSP in 2024/25?
SSP is £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate). This is the flat rate regardless of how much you normally earn, as long as you meet the minimum earnings threshold.
Do I need a sick note for one week off?
For absences up to 7 days, you can self-certify (tell your employer you were ill). A fit note from a doctor is only required from day 8 onwards.
Related glossary terms
Sick Leave
Sick leave is time off work taken by an employee due to illness or injury, which may be paid or unpaid depending on employment terms and statutory requirements.
Fit Note
A fit note is a UK doctors statement about whether an employee is not fit for work, or may be fit for work with adjustments, required after 7 days of sickness absence.