As the calendar turns towards April 2026, many employees and employers in the UK will see changes to statutory sick pay regulations Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a legal requirement for employers to pay eligible employees when they are off work due to illness These regulations are put in place to ensure that individuals are financially supported during times of illness and to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses in the workplace.
For April 2026, there are several updates and changes to statutory sick pay that both employers and employees should be aware of These changes will impact how much sick pay employees are entitled to, who is eligible to receive it, and how employers should go about implementing these regulations.
One of the key changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 is the increase in the flat rate weekly payment Currently set at £96.35 per week, this rate will be increased to £100 per week starting in April This means that employees who are eligible for SSP will receive a slightly higher amount to help cover their expenses while they are off work due to illness This increase is welcomed by many employees who rely on SSP to make ends meet during times of illness.
In addition to the increase in the flat rate weekly payment, there are also changes to the eligibility criteria for SSP In April 2026, employees will need to have been off work due to illness for at least four consecutive days in order to qualify for SSP This is an increase from the previous requirement of three days, which means that employees will need to provide a doctor’s note or other medical evidence if they are off work due to illness for less than four days.
Employers will also need to be aware of changes to the rules around waiting days for SSP statutory sick pay april 2026. Currently, employers are required to pay SSP from the fourth consecutive day of an employee’s absence due to illness However, starting in April 2026, employers will be required to pay SSP from the first day of absence This means that employees will receive SSP from the first day they are off work due to illness, providing them with financial support right from the start of their absence.
Another important change to statutory sick pay in April 2026 is the introduction of a new right for employees to request flexible working arrangements when they return to work after a period of sickness This new right aims to support employees as they transition back to work following an illness, and to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance Employers will be required to consider these requests in a reasonable manner and discuss potential options with employees to support their return to work.
Overall, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 aim to provide employees with increased financial support when they are off work due to illness, as well as to encourage a healthier and more supportive workplace environment It is important for both employers and employees to be aware of these changes and to ensure that they are compliant with the new regulations.
In conclusion, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 will have a positive impact on employees who rely on SSP during times of illness With an increase in the flat rate weekly payment, changes to eligibility criteria, and new rights for employees returning to work after sickness, these regulations aim to provide increased financial support and flexibility for individuals during times of illness Employers should be aware of these changes and ensure that they are following the new regulations to support their employees effectively.