Sick pay and leave

You’re entitled to sick pay if you need to take time off work due to a physical or mental health issue and you’ve got an employment contract with the council.  

Overview

Sickness absence happens when employees are not well enough to work, whether that is in their usual workplace or by working at home.  

The sickness absence policy (PDF, 159KB) provides guidance and support to employees and line managers in effectively managing and addressing sickness-related absences. 

Essex County Council strives to maintain high employment standards, including standards around sickness absence (PDF, 165KB).

Sick pay  

You’re entitled to sick pay if you need to take time off work due to a physical or mental health issue and you’ve got an employment contract with the council.  

Sick pay is financial support for when you’re not well enough to work. For example, if you have a short-term illness or injury, or if you need longer-term recovery such as undergoing medical treatment or managing a long-term condition. 

Sick pay allowance  

You get a sick pay allowance depending on how long you’ve worked for the council.  

If you have more than 1 years’ continuous service working for the council, you will get some contractual sick pay (see table below). Part of your sick pay is usually made up of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) which will be shown on your payslip.  

If you have worked for the council for under 1 year or if you run out of contractual sick pay, you can get SSP for up to 28 weeks. You only start receiving SSP from the 4th day of sick leave. Learn more about Statutory Sick Pay on GOV.UK. 

Your allowance is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis. This means we will look at the amount of sickness absence you have taken in the last twelve months when working out what you should be paid. 

Length of service Full pay (months)   Half pay (months)
During the 1st year Statutory sick pay only Statutory sick pay only
1 to 2 years 1 1
2 to 3 years 2 2
3 to 4 years 3 3
4 to 5 years 4 4
5 years or more 5 5

If you use up your sick pay allowance  

Payroll will write to you let you know at each stage when your pay is going to be reduced to half pay, SSP and no pay.   

If you are not entitled to SSP or if your SSP runs out, you may be able to claim for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). In this situation, Payroll will send you the appropriate forms so you can make a claim. 
 

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