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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Two million workers could become eligible for statutory sick pay | Two million workers could become eligible for statutory sick pay |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Two million low-paid workers could receive statutory sick pay for the first time as part of reforms aimed at supporting people with health conditions in the workplace. | Two million low-paid workers could receive statutory sick pay for the first time as part of reforms aimed at supporting people with health conditions in the workplace. |
| Currently, employees must earn at least the equivalent of 14 hours on the minimum wage to qualify. | Currently, employees must earn at least the equivalent of 14 hours on the minimum wage to qualify. |
| But the government is looking at whether to extend eligibility to those earning below this threshold. | But the government is looking at whether to extend eligibility to those earning below this threshold. |
| There could also be more help for those returning to work after sick leave. | There could also be more help for those returning to work after sick leave. |
| The government will launch a consultation on Monday. | The government will launch a consultation on Monday. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We need to remove the barriers that stop people with disabilities or health conditions from reaching their full potential - these steps will help us achieve that." | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We need to remove the barriers that stop people with disabilities or health conditions from reaching their full potential - these steps will help us achieve that." |
| Workers need to earn at least £118 a week to receive statutory sick pay, although the threshold is reviewed every tax year. | Workers need to earn at least £118 a week to receive statutory sick pay, although the threshold is reviewed every tax year. |
| It is unclear if the plans would benefit "gig" workers on freelance or short-term contracts, but the Department for Work and Pensions said the consultation did not seek to "undermine the flexibility in the UK labour market". | It is unclear if the plans would benefit "gig" workers on freelance or short-term contracts, but the Department for Work and Pensions said the consultation did not seek to "undermine the flexibility in the UK labour market". |
| Around 1.1 million people in the UK are considered gig economy workers, receiving little or no holiday or sick pay. | Around 1.1 million people in the UK are considered gig economy workers, receiving little or no holiday or sick pay. |
| Sick pay: What are my rights? | Sick pay: What are my rights? |
| Read more here | Read more here |
| Phased returns to work | Phased returns to work |
| The government is also looking at making statutory sick pay more flexible, as it seeks to reduce the number of people quitting work after a period of sickness. | The government is also looking at making statutory sick pay more flexible, as it seeks to reduce the number of people quitting work after a period of sickness. |
| Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job after a sickness absence lasting at least four weeks, it said. | Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job after a sickness absence lasting at least four weeks, it said. |
| It will explore allowing phased returns to work, in which people would continue to receive statutory sick pay, as well as offering small businesses who help employees return to work a rebate. | It will explore allowing phased returns to work, in which people would continue to receive statutory sick pay, as well as offering small businesses who help employees return to work a rebate. |
| It will also consider whether to change legal guidance to encourage employers to intervene early during a period of sickness absence. | It will also consider whether to change legal guidance to encourage employers to intervene early during a period of sickness absence. |
| For example, employees could be given the right to request modifications to their working patterns - similar to the right to request flexible working - to help them return to work. | For example, employees could be given the right to request modifications to their working patterns - similar to the right to request flexible working - to help them return to work. |
| Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director at lobby group the CBI, said managing sickness absence effectively made "good business sense". | Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director at lobby group the CBI, said managing sickness absence effectively made "good business sense". |
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