Employees who follow Government advice to self-isolate and cannot work as a result are eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) even if they are not themselves sick. The Government has now brought in the “Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme”, allowing small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 250 employees to reclaim SSP paid for staff absence due to coronavirus.

The rebate will cover up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee. Employers can use this scheme to recover SSP paid to current or former employees for periods of sickness starting on or after 13 March 2020.

All types of employment contacts are covered, including full time, part time, agency contracts and flexible contracts.

For full information and to check your eligibility visit the Gov.uk website.

If you have any questions regarding employment or how Coronavirus might impact your staff and business, please contact Ellie Humphris on eleanorhumphris@fsmsolicitors.co.uk.