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Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) ends for those who are shielding due to COVID-19 4 August 2020
From the 1 August 2020, employees who previously were entitled to SSP on the grounds that they were shielding will cease.
During the peak of the pandemic, those employees who were at greater risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus were advised by health professionals and the government to ‘shield’ themselves, which meant that many were unable to work and had to stay at home. For those who this applied, legislation was amended so that employers could process SSP for this period with ‘shielding’ being a valid reason for SSP if an employee was unable to work from home. Shielding has now been paused and therefore guidance for employees who fall into this category has been amended, which means: • They do not need to follow previous shielding advice • Employees can go to work as long as the workplace is Covid-secure, but should carry on working from home wherever possible. • Employees should continue to wash hands carefully and more frequently than usual and that frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace are maintained by thorough cleaning As of 1 August, shielding employees are no longer eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) based on being advised to shield by the government. Employers should aid the transition back to work safely and support employees in maintaining good hand hygiene and distancing practice in the workplace if employees are unable to work from home and are required to return to the office.
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Additional reason for payment of SSP from day one 12 August 2020
HMRC guidance on the topic of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has been updated to reflect an additional reason for payment of SSP from day one of absence, as opposed to day four.
Where someone in an employee’s ‘support bubble’, or ‘extended household’ in Scotland and Wales, starts displaying coronavirus symptoms, employers must pay SSP from the first qualifying day that they are absent from work, as opposed to the fourth day. They must be off for a minimum of four days in a row, but waiting days do not need to be served prior to payment. This will be applicable for absences commencing from 6 July 2020 onwards. SSP is payable from day one of absence for employees who self-isolated from 13 March 2020, for those who shielded on or after 16 April 2020, and for employees contacted via test and trace from 28 May 2020 onwards.
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Additional reason for payment of SSP – self-isolation prior to surgery 14 September 2020
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
cipp.org.uk
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