The New Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) is the legal minimum sick pay to which employees are now entitled.
As of the 1st January 2023, every employee is entitled to 3 paid sick days, and this is set to increase over the next few years, in 2024 employees will be covered for 5 days in 2025, 7 days and by 2026 employees will be covered for 10 paid sick leave days.
To be entitled to statutory sick pay, you must be an employee working a minimum of 13 weeks with your employer, and the absence must be certified by a GP with the employee named certified as unfit to work due to their illness or injury.
SSP entitlements apply to both Part- time and Full-time employees.
The SSP is calculated at 70% of normal daily pay, up to a maximum of €110 a day.
As an employer, you are obliged to keep proper records for four years with information in relation to each employee and who availed of sick leave, and rates paid.
The scheme is being enforced through the Workplace Relations Commission and the courts system, and it is imperative that employees who express their intention to take or do take statutory sick leave are not treated differently, and those who avail of their right to statutory sick leave must not be penalised for their absence.
If you already provide for paid sick leave through your employment contract, our employment solicitors, can assist you in reviewing the contracts, considering the new legislation.
