Sick Pay

[cazzrob]

Hi guys, My boyfriend works as a lorry driver, humping things in and out of it, well he has just ruptured his bicep muscle and has been signed off sick, and with his operation next week, is looking at a good 3 months off work. His boss has told him he will be getting £30 a week statutory sick pay and no more. Surely this is not right? Luckily he doesnt have a mortgage/kids to worry about, but surely someone who did and was in this position, couldnt survive on such a small amount of money a week.
Any help or advice would be greatly recieved.
TIA Cazz :-) x

[factor-fiction]

Some employers do not offer Occupational Sick Pay but statutory sick pay will be available. The figure is more than £30 a week though. Have a look on the Direct Gov site

[cazzrob]

Thanks Factor, Il have a look now.x.

[factor-fiction]

The site seems to be down at the moment- maybe it's a cyber attack, industrial action or Tory cuts, I don't know

[factor-fiction]

http://www.direct.gov...orinjured/DG_10018786

[Hopkirk]

It might be worth taking advice from someone like Citizen's Advice.

If it is an industrial injury, perhaps there might be a legal duty for the employer to look after him.

Where there's blame, there's a claim!

[factor-fiction]

The standard weekly rate for SSP is £85.85 a week.
Your employer will work out a daily rate of SSP if necessary. They will do this by dividing the weekly rate by the number of days you’d normally work in that week. For working out SSP a week runs from Sunday to Saturday.

Does he work full time or part time?

[cazzrob]

Hes full time, starts at 5.30am sometimes and doesnt finish til 6pm plus!!

[MoonRocker]

employers do not have to pay sick pay, SSP is available but it's a pittance. Not right perhaps but that's the rules currently.

[Hopkirk]

However if he was injured because they did not supply the right equipment to do the job, there might be a claim.

[boxtops]

It's not a pittance, it's over £80 a week, and it's paid through his company - we're up to speed on this because since OH broke his kneecap, he too has been off work since February and as long as he puts his GP sicknote into his employer, they will pay his SSP for up to 28 weeks, until he's signed off fit again.

I think your OH's boss has got his figures wrong, he needs to speak to him again, it's all clearly laid out on the Benefits website (see factor's link below).

[boxtops]

That's different, Hopkirk - that would be a completely separate matter and a claim against his firm's employer's Liability policy, but then negligence would have to be proved.

[furrypusscat]

If it was in Industrial accident, ie the injury was work related whilst employed, make sure it is entered in the Accident Book. Every firm has to have one and is a legal requirement. Then if he wants to make a claim for injury at work, it makes it easier to prove. I am not talking 'negligence' I am saying any injury sustained at the work place has to be reported and logged and then if necessary he can claim benefit from DHSS or Job centre whatever it is called these days for an industrial accident. (assuming Industrial Injuries payment is still paid - ask at the job centre).

[cazzrob]

Thanks for all your replies guys, hes going to see what his pay is this week and to see how much his employers pay him and take it from there.