Mary Walker quoted in the national press on plans to change statutory sick pay in the wake of the coronavirus crisis
Wednesday 4th March 2020
Mary Walker, partner and employment law specialist at Gordons, has been quoted in the national press, including The Express and The Mirror, commenting on plans to change statutory sick pay in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
The Government announced today (Wednesday) that statutory sick pay will be paid from day one, instead of day four, to help stop the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. The hope is that it will discourage those who are showing symptoms of the or have been advised to self-isolate from going into work for financial reasons.
Mary said: “This news will be well-received by the employees who are eligible to benefit, but don’t forget businesses can’t claim back statutory sick pay so the extra costs will have to be funded by the employer. This is an additional burden for employers of all sizes, at what is a difficult time for all.
“The hidden benefit of course is that those same workers will now have less temptation to still attend work even if they are ill. But with the latest rise in UK in cases it looks certain that things will get worse before they get better.”
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