PCS joins call for a better sick pay system

PCS has signed a joint letter to the government calling for changes to be made to the current sick pay system.

A coalition of unions, health and disability charities and civil society organisations including PCS has sent a joint letter to the government highlighting problems with Statutory Sick Pay and to create a sick pay system that is better for workers, employers and Britain's public health.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is only £116.75 a week. This means that many workers are unable to get by when they are sick, forcing them to go into work or face financial hardship. PCS is calling for change, alongside over 20 other trade unions and the Safe Sick Pay campaign.

We want to see the rate of SSP increase so that workers can take the time off they need to recover.

The four key changes to SSP that PCS is calling upon the government to make are:

  • An end to the lower earnings limit threshold to claim SSP
  • Ensuring SSP is paid on the first day of sickness absence
  • Increasing the SSP rate in line with workers’ wages up to the real living wage
  • Developing a flexible model for SSP which allows for phased returns to work alongside income protection.

Get Involved

Please support this important campaign:

For more information or queries please contact campaigns@pcs.org.uk