Women are expected to benefit most from reforms under the Employment Rights Act, according to analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Around 4.7 million women are expected to benefit from the April upgrade to workers’ rights, including more than 830,000 women who will qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP) for the first time once the 125-a-week lower earnings limit is removed.
Women are twice as likely as men to be earning less than the SSP threshold.
Statutory sick pay changes expected to have greatest workplace impact, survey finds
Currently, employees are only eligible for SSP from the fourth consecutive day of illness. From 6 April, this waiting period will be removed, meaning SSP will be payable from the first day of absence.
“For too long, women have borne the brunt of a sick pay system that is not fit for purpose, and a culture of exploitative, insecure work,” said TUC general secretary Paul Nowak. “That’s why the Employment Rights Act is an important step forward for women at work.”
Sandra Kerr, HR technical consultant at HR software company AdviserPlus, added: “For many women, particularly those juggling work and caring responsibilities, having access to sick pay from day one is a vital protection.”
Emma Georgiou, a leadership coach, said the changes to sick pay would mean fewer women would have to choose between their health and their income.
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