Employers Legal Boligation to pay SSP?

[ojread2]

Is it an employers legal obligation to pay staff off sick, after the initial 3 days in lieu, SSP and then claim it back should they wish to, from the government?

Where I work at the moment we dont receive any kind of sick pay, either government or employer type and I wondered at the legal implications of them not paying us SSP. Do they have to pay us SSP or is it purely voluntary that they do this. I know they don't have to claim SSP back from the government but do they have to pay us SSP in the first place?

Any help appreciated, thank you
ojx

[CheekyChops]

As far as I can see, they should pay it yes. Go to http://www.direct.gov.uk and click on employment, then on the 'pay' link and you get a link for sick pay. Sorry, I tried to post the link but this stupid site keeps giving me error messages.

[ojread2]

Thanks to both of you for your replies

Look slike my employer is breaking employment law - now to tackle them about it or, at the very least, try and find out why we don't get paid it

cheers