Statutory Sick Pay will be payable from the first full day of sickness absence starting April 6. The government says the changes help ensure that lower-paid employees have financial security when they are unwell and can help reduce the spread of infection within a workplace. Statutory Sick Pay will be available to all eligible employees regardless of their earnings as the Lower Earnings Limit is being removed.
The rate of Statutory Sick Pay for all employees will be calculated at 80% of their average weekly earnings or the flat weekly rate, whichever is lower. New research suggested the new rights on sick pay will have the biggest impact on workers and employers. A study commissioned by Acas on changes in the Employment Rights Act found that new protections on unfair dismissals were also named as having a big impact.
Protection from unfair dismissal after six months in a role instead of two years was the second most frequently chosen reform, selected by 31% of employers and 30% of employees. Employers ranked new paternity leave rights as their third biggest impact. Workers opted for the new changes on flexible working as their third biggest impact.
These changes will be implemented from 6 April. Statutory Sick Pay and Paternity Leave become 'Day One' rights in April 2026. The new Fair Work Agency launches to enforce holiday pay and sick pay rules in April 2026.
The new '6-month rule' for unfair dismissal takes effect in January 2027. 00 for under‑18s and apprentices. Acas said the findings will help it target support for workers and bosses where they need it the most.