Employers and HR practitioners should take special note that for a limited period there will be a change to the normal statutory sick pay requirements due to the demands on the NHS and to help free GPs for the booster campaign against Covid.
Self-certification
The Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2021 will allow on a temporary basis an employee to self-certify sickness for a period of 28 days rather than the usual 7 days.
The process we are familiar with is the employee can self-certify for a 7-day period and after this period must produce a fit note from their GP. Employers must now accept a 28-day self-certification note from their employees and a fit note thereafter.
The change relates only to the period of sickness starting during the time 17 December 2021 to 26 January 2022 or if the sickness started before the 17 December 2021 but at that time did not last for 7 days.
The temporary change will not apply for periods of sickness after the 26 January 2022 due the temporary nature of the change.
Employers and HR practitioners must follow the temporary change to the law when paying statutory sick pay. You should also check your contract if you pay enhanced sick pay as this may impact on the need to provide medical evidence especially if your sick pay is backed by an insurance policy.
This article is for information only and if you have an issue with an employee, please contact the Quest for advice on 01455 852028.
