Entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay is extended to Test and Trace
Entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay is extended to Test and Trace
As of 28 May 2020, entitlement to statutory sick pay (SSP) was extended to people who had been told to isolate under the test and trace service: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
According to the Government guidance: “the NHS test and trace service:
· ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents
· helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus”.
The guidance note includes advice for employers on supporting workers who need to self-isolate: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance
Employers should support workers who need to self-isolate and must not ask them to come into the workplace.
Self-isolation may be required because the worker:
· has coronavirus symptoms;
· has tested positive for coronavirus;
· is a member of the same household as someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus; or
· has been in close recent contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus and received a notification to self isolate from the NHS test and trace service.
The guidance states that employers should allow workers to work from home if they are well enough. If self-isolating workers cannot work from home, employers must ensure the worker is receiving sick pay. They are entitled to SSP for every day they are in isolation, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions.
Small and Medium employers with fewer than 250 employees may be able to reclaim their costs for SSP. Information on reclaiming SSP can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-pay-paid-to-your-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
Notification from the NHS test and trace service can be used as evidence that an individual has been told to self-isolate.
If they prefer, an employee can opt to take paid holiday on full pay for the time they are off work, rather than SSP.