Union says new entitlements, part of Employment Rights Act 2025, will help lower-income households
Up to 9.6 million UK workers are to benefit from the changes to sick pay rules, according to unions. They say the policy has widespread support from voters despite pushback from some businesses.
From Monday, about 8.4 million workers who rely on statutory sick pay – the minimum amount employers must pay – will be paid from the first day of becoming ill rather than from day four, according to an analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Meanwhile, 1.2 million workers, who were previously not entitled to statutory sick pay because they earned below the 125-a-week threshold, will become eligible. This move will disproportionately benefit women, who are overrepresented in lower-paid jobs and part-time work, as well as disabled employees and younger and older workers.
The TUC said it would remove the pressure on lower-income households, who have had to choose between potentially spreading and prolonging their illness or losing much-needed pay.
The changes are part of the first tranche of rights being provided through the Employment Rights Act 2025, which is also introducing new protections regarding sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition.
The Labour government’s policy has proved popular across political lines, with 76% of those surveyed by the TUC saying they support workers having sick pay from day one.
That is despite growing frustration among some...
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