Sick pay

[Elswick]

Can anyone help I had been off work for 6 months due to ra and got payed full pay through the company . I now find out I have to go in hospital for a operation I will be off work do I get statuary sick pay now or not I am not sure how this works or have my company already payed me ssp bit concerned as I will be off again for 12 weeks ??? 😚

[AgedCrone]

Try asking the CAB...rules on ssp seem to be constantly changing.

[Fatfingers]

I would speak to HR at your company to see what their policy is as you have returned to work it will be another absence. Hope they are understanding and look after you.

[Jewels94]

SSP is paid by the employer for 28 weeks, this is normally included in sick pay by the employer. After the SSP runs out the employer provides an SSP1 and you have to put in a claim for ESA.

[HappykindaGal]

SSP ends at 6 months. You may need to claim ESA yourself. I would have a chat with your employer though as they may let you go due to medical issues which they can do. Have they requested access to your GP records?

[Elswick in reply to HappykindaGal]

Yes they have asked for gp records and I had to speak to works doctor as well I think I am about ready to go now finding it harder every day even though I only work 16 hrs 😟I did want to carry on for 3 yrs when I am 66 but I can’t see that happening thanks for your reply hope your well 🙏

[benjijen]

It depends on your contract terms. You are extremely fortunate to have received full pay for 6 months and need to speak with your HR dept.

[Elswick in reply to benjijen]

I no they are a good company been really helpful tc

[Mandalou]

It very much depends on your employer and their sickness policy. Elswick.

If the operation is completely unrelated to your RA and you have actually been back at work since your initial sickness then you might find you are covered.

For example when I was first ill then diagnosed in 2015 I came back to work in March 2016. My pay had stopped in November 2015.

Because of the nature of RA my company put that in a box as it were as they realise that I can also be ill outside the RA banner.

I think whether statutory sick pay applies depends whether you have actually been back to work since you were off long term.

I echo the others, you MUST talk to your employer and would it be possible to postpone this operation until you have worked enough to qualify to have another 12 weeks off covered by SSP.

Best wishes M x

[Elswick in reply to Mandalou]

Thanks for your advice I cant put off the operation I did try I ignored letters from hospital etc as I thought my problem would go away never spoke to anyone about it husband family but in the end they tracked me down but will speak to hr after all our health is more important I have learned that hope your well tc 😊

[Mandalou in reply to Elswick]

Thank you Elswick, I suffer more with the side effects of being immunosurpressed ( colds that progress to the chest etc) than swollen joints these days. Like you Ive had to have an operation recently but have battled on through and my employer actually discounted my latest absence with the gynae op because since my return from long term RA absence my attendance has been excellent. All praise for Biologics!

I really really sympathise with your predicament and you are right our health is the most important thing.

Good luck in all that happens going forward. I hope you have an understanding HR department, you jolly deserve one!

Mx

[Elswick]

Thing is when I have the operation I would of only been back 6 weeks after 7 months off . I will have a talk with hr Monday see what they say thanks it just seems one thing after another at the moment trying to stay positive 😚

[Mandalou in reply to Elswick]

Well do stay as positive as you can. It's not your fault this has happened and there are laws to protect employees.

Be honest and open with your HR department. At least give them the chance to do the right thing.

If you have been back 7 weeks and the operation is unrelated then I don't see what the problem is but it depends on who you see and their interpretations of your companies sickness policy.

Do you have a workplace Union Rep? It might help to get their input.

Mx