As we enter into April 2026, many changes are taking place in the world of employment law, and one important topic to be aware of is statutory sick pay Statutory sick pay is a basic employment right that provides employees with some income when they are unable to work due to illness In this article, we will explore the details of statutory sick pay in April 2026 and what it means for both employers and employees.
First and foremost, it is crucial to understand what statutory sick pay is and who is eligible to receive it Statutory sick pay is a payment made by the employer to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury To be eligible for statutory sick pay, an employee must have been sick for at least four consecutive days (including non-working days) and must earn an average of at least £120 per week In April 2026, the rate of statutory sick pay is £98.85 per week.
Employers are responsible for paying statutory sick pay to their employees, but there are certain rules and regulations that need to be followed For example, employees must notify their employer of their sickness within a certain timeframe and provide evidence of their illness if requested Employers must keep records of statutory sick pay payments and report them to HM Revenue and Customs.
In April 2026, there are some changes to statutory sick pay that both employers and employees need to be aware of One important change is the increase in the rate of statutory sick pay From April 2026, the rate of statutory sick pay has increased to £98.85 per week, up from £96.35 per week in the previous tax year This increase reflects the rising cost of living and aims to provide employees with a fair amount of income when they are unable to work due to illness.
Another change to be aware of in April 2026 is the introduction of a new rule regarding the waiting period for statutory sick pay statutory sick pay april 2026. Previously, employees had to wait for three consecutive days of sickness before they could start receiving statutory sick pay However, from April 2026, this waiting period has been abolished, and employees can start receiving statutory sick pay from the first day of sickness This change is intended to provide employees with more support during times of illness and to ensure that they do not lose out on income while they are unable to work.
Employers should also be aware of their responsibilities regarding statutory sick pay in April 2026 In addition to paying statutory sick pay to eligible employees, employers must also follow certain rules when it comes to keeping records and reporting payments to HM Revenue and Customs Employers should ensure that they have a written policy on sick pay in place and that they communicate this policy clearly to their employees Employers should also be prepared to provide support to employees who are off sick, such as offering flexible working arrangements or access to occupational health services.
In conclusion, statutory sick pay is an important employment right that provides support to employees when they are unable to work due to illness In April 2026, there are some changes to statutory sick pay that both employers and employees need to be aware of, including an increase in the rate of statutory sick pay and the abolition of the waiting period Employers should ensure that they are familiar with their responsibilities regarding statutory sick pay and that they are prepared to support employees who are off sick By understanding the details of statutory sick pay in April 2026, employers and employees can ensure that they are fulfilling their obligations and receiving the support they need during times of illness.