In summary:
-those advised to self isolate or suffering from Coronavirus are considered unfit for work (ie Sick) effective 13 March 2020
-Coronavirus related absence is to qualify for SSP from day 1 (no 4 day PIW or 3 waiting days) effective 13 March 2020
-Employers with under 250 employees on 28 February 2020 can reclaim Coronavirus related SSP for first 14 days per affected employee.
DWP state:
Employees and self-employed people
To make sure people in work can take the necessary time off to stay at home if they are suffering from coronavirus or to prevent its spread, changes have been made to Statutory Sick Pay and how Universal Credit supports self-employed claimants.
This includes:
- people who cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of their illness – we intend to legislate so this measure applies retrospectively from 13 March 2020
- Statutory Sick Pay will be payable to people who are staying at home on government advice, not just those who are infected, from 13 March 2020 after regulations were laid on 12 March 2020 – employers are urged to use their discretion about what evidence, if any, they ask for
- if employees need to provide evidence to their employer that they need to stay at home due to coronavirus, they will be able to get it from the NHS 111 Online instead of having to get a fit note from their doctor – this is currently under development and will be made available soon
- self-employed claimants on Universal Credit who are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus will not have a Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time while affected
Businesses
The government wants to ensure businesses are supported to deal with the temporary economic impacts of an outbreak of coronavirus.
Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be able to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay for employees unable to work because of coronavirus. This refund will be for up to 2 weeks per employee.
Find out about other government support for businesses.
PAYadvice.com 14/3/2020
