WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 5.30
30. How much sick pay am I entitled to?
• This depends on whether you are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay(SSP)or Incapacity Benefit(IB)or
your employer’s own scheme.Many employers improve upon the basic State scheme and provide
full pay or half pay.Usually,the more service you have with the employer,the better the
entitlement.Check your rights under your written particulars of employment and any collective
agreement.
• SSP is paid at a weekly flat rate of £72.55.There is no increase for dependants for SSP.
• IB is paid at three weekly rates(higher rates for people over pension age).The rate you get depends
on the length of time you have been entitled to IB.You may also get an age addition or dependants
increase.
• Generally,IB is payable after four consecutive days of incapacity.The first three days are waiting
days but if you fall sick again within eight weeks,the two spells are added together.You do not have
to wait another three days.
(N.B.at the time of writing in August 2007 the government has proposed a welfare reform bill and this
will replace incapacity benefit and income support with an employment support allowance)
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.