Trade unions are putting pressure on the government to raise Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) significantly, given worries about workers who become sick being driven into financial difficulty. Writing to the Prime Minister, a group of 24 union leaders has urged action and underlined that many workers struggle to make ends meet while on sick leave. Under parliamentary review, the Employment Rights Bill is the platform on which unions want the problem addressed.
How Are Employees Dealing with Financial Difficulties While Sick?
The union leaders—including members of the civil service, teaching, postal, health, and postal service unions—argue that the present SSP level falls short in supporting workers. They have brought attention to the rising debt load among workers with low sick pay. Because SSP is much less than their regular pay, many employees are postponing medical care or returning to work before fully recovering.
“Workers should not have to choose between their health and financial stability,” Royal College of Nursing’s top executive said. Not only is it unfair, but forcing nursing personnel to choose between trying to make ends meet or reporting to work sick compromises patient safety. Individuals off sick will only get £3 an hour.
Unions especially worry about Labour’s platform pledge to “strengthen” sick pay not being followed. Angela Rayner, the Labour MP and present Shadow Secretary of State for Education, had promised in opposition to boost SSP. However, she did not say precisely how much. However, under the present government’s proposals, SSP from April is expected to increase by just £2 a week, reaching £118.75.
For what reforms are unions pushing?
Unions contend that the main problem is the low level of SSP itself, even while the government has suggested including workers from the first day of illness (currently, the first three days off work are unpaid). Many employees depend on the legal minimum for sick pay, and unions say that the present compensation does not fairly represent living expenses.
According to a survey, SSP is one of the most often occurring problems job advisers deal with. “The level of SSP is simply not enough to live on,” claimed one consultant. Many workers struggle to get by when they are sick, which significantly impacts their well-being.”
Support for the Safe Sick Pay campaign—which coordinated the letter to the Prime Minister—has come from various unions, including the Bakers’ Union, CWU (Communication Workers Union), NEU (National Education Union), and PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union). These unions’ leaders have banded together to urge the government to act before things get worse.
How Does It Affect Low Sick Pay Public Safety and Health?
Low sick pay raises significant public health concerns. “Moving onto SSP often means a great drop in income for many people, forcing them to go back to work before they are fit to do so,” said the BMA’s executive council Chair. This leads to further sick leave and more physical or psychological poor health.
Though not a signatory to the letter, the GMB union connected to Labour has also voiced doubts about the sufficiency of SSP. One in three of the carers surveyed lacked the means to afford to take sick leave. Many low-paid workers are especially susceptible as SSP is less than a third of the national minimum wage for those over 21.
What are businesses saying, and how is the government responding?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has maintained its government stance while unions continue to advocate for better pay. A DWP spokesman underlined that conversations are ongoing to improve sick pay policies and said, “No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship.”
Business organizations, however, are also fiercely opposing the government since they fear that extending worker rights would burden companies more than it benefits them. Representing 7,000 attorneys, the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) has expressed concerns that, still in the consultation stage, the legislation calls for careful thought to prevent adding new business expenses or requirements.
Small businesses, in particular, worry about the possible effects of more sick pay responsibilities. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), rising SSP could disproportionately impact businesses employing older and younger workers, who often take more sick days. The FSB contends that small businesses, already under pressure in a challenging economic environment, could incur significant expenses.
“We have major concerns that the actual impact, especially on small businesses, will act as a brake on job creation and have a smothering effect on affordable wage increases over the coming years,” said the FSB policy chairman. “Let employees start claiming sick pay from day one, and you could double businesses’ liability.”
Concerned that the reforms will add to an extra financial burden, the FSB is also urging the government to provide a sick pay refund for small businesses.
Can labour equitably meet business and worker needs?
Labour, which claims to be pro-business and pro-worker, is now entangled in a contentious argument. Business groups are alert to the possible adverse effects on businesses, while unions demand more sick pay to guarantee that workers are not left struggling when ill.
As the Employment Rights Bill progresses, the government’s capacity to strike a balance between workers’ and companies’ requirements will be underlined. The argument is still ongoing, as unions fight for a fairer sick pay system while corporate groups demand caution to prevent limiting economic development.
