The government have confirmed that in a worst-case scenario up to a fifth of the workforce may be off sick during the peak of a coronavirus epidemic in the UK and to assist and support employees and employers the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson made a speech on the 4th of March reviewing possible changes.
The speech confirmed that employees will get statutory sick pay (SSP) from their first day off work rather than the fourth due to the current system of waiting days required under SSP rules but this will only be for sickness related to coronavirus – other forms of sickness will remain under the active legislation and these form part of government plans to stem the spread of coronavirus.
In his speech, Boris Johnson said “people who self-isolate are helping to protect others from the virus and should not be ‘penalised for doing the right thing’”. This change is therefore expected to be confirmed in emergency legislation still to be confirmed.
Mr Johnson also stated; “As yesterday’s plan made clear, we’re not at the point yet where we’re asking large numbers of people to self-isolate but that of course may come if large numbers of people have the symptoms of coronavirus”.
