UK Sick Note (Fit Note) 2026: When & What It Means
Section A: What is a Sick Note in the UK? In UK employment law, there is no specific legal document called a ‘sick note’. The term is commonly used to describe what is officially known as a ‘fit note’. A fit note is the recognised form of medical evidence used to support sickness […]
Self Certification Form UK: 7-Day Rule & SSP 2026
Self certification is the process that allows an employee to confirm they are unfit for work due to illness without providing medical evidence for a short period of absence. In UK employment law, this typically covers sickness lasting up to seven calendar days, after which a fit note may be required. This guide is about […]
SSP Rate 2026: Guide for Employers
Section A: SSP Rate in 2026 Statutory Sick Pay is the legal baseline for sick pay in the UK, but for employers it is rarely just a payroll figure. SSP sits at the point where pay, absence management and legal risk meet. Errors tend to surface not because the rules are unknown, but […]
UK Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 2026: Eligibility, Amount & Rules
Section A: What is Statutory Sick Pay? Statutory Sick Pay is the legal minimum sick pay that UK employers are required to provide when an employee is unable to work due to illness. It operates as a statutory baseline rather than a discretionary benefit and applies regardless of sector or workforce size. For […]
Long-Term Sick Leave & Holiday Pay UK 2026: Rules & Calculation
Employees on long-term sick leave often raise questions about their holiday rights. HR professionals and business owners must understand the legal framework governing entitlement, accrual, carry-over and payment of annual leave during extended sickness absence. Getting this wrong exposes employers to unlawful deduction claims, Working Time Regulations breaches and, in some cases, discrimination risk. Clear […]
SSP Eligibility Guide for Employers
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a core entitlement within the UK’s employment law framework, yet the rules governing eligibility remain a frequent source of uncertainty for employers. SSP is a statutory payment funded by employers for up to 28 weeks, but only in respect of qualifying days when the employee meets the statutory conditions. HR […]
Self Cert Sick Notes for Employers
Self-certification is the mechanism that allows employees to confirm their own sickness for the first seven calendar days of absence. It removes the need for a GP note during the early stages of illness and is a standard feature of UK sickness absence management. For employers and HR professionals, understanding how self-certification works is critical […]
What Happens When Sick Pay Runs Out
Employees can find themselves without income if their Statutory Sick Pay or contractual sick pay entitlement has been exhausted while they remain unfit for work. For employers and HR professionals, this point in the absence cycle is often sensitive and high risk. Decisions taken immediately after sick pay ends can affect capability procedures, discrimination risk, […]
Private Sickness Insurance for Employers
Private sickness insurance is increasingly raised in discussions between employees, HR teams and business owners. While employers are familiar with statutory sick pay and any contractual sick pay schemes they operate, questions about private sickness insurance create a different type of challenge. These policies sit outside the employer’s direct obligations yet frequently intersect with workplace […]
Private Sick Pay for Employees: Employer Guide
Private sick pay is a workplace term used to describe enhanced sick pay arrangements, usually delivered through employer-funded income protection insurance. It is not a legal category in UK legislation but a label employers use for insured or enhanced sick pay benefits. While Statutory Sick Pay provides only a limited safety net, private sick pay […]