Statutory Sick Pay

[vodkancoke]

I don't know if this belongs in Law or not but here goes,

I have a 55 year old employee who has been off for the past 2 weeks sick. She has ended up in hospital and is very poorly and is to be off indefinately. I have been paying her SSP from day 1 and her husband phoned today to ask for a self-certification form. I do not possess any of these and was wondering where I get them or how I go about getting them? Is it as simple as contacting HMRC and asking them? I'm only asking here as I know I will get a quick answer....quicker than HMRC!!!

Thank you in advance

[vodkancoke]

Well clearly I'm not then! Thanks for the answer, I'll contact the HMRC instead.

[China Doll]

For that length of time I would think the doctor should provide a sickness certificate.

[JonnyBoy12]

That was a bit of a curt answer, that first one. I would tell your employee she is not allowed to get sick........ever! That will solve the problem, I should think.

Hope this helps.

[vodkancoke]

That's what I thought Chinadoll but her husband has phoned me for them

Redhelen, I get all my employee documents from my accountant who gets them from them. Unfortunately my accountant is on holiday so I am dealing with it.

[vodkancoke]

Sorry redhelen, meant to say I dont think they give them out, just wanted to ask them how I go about getting them

[vodkancoke]

Yep Johnnyboy, that helps loads ta :)

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf

[THECORBYLOON]

The HMRC Guide E14 states,

“For spells of sickness lasting four to seven days, you may accept self-certification verbally or by letter, or they can use form SC2 for self-certification, or your own equivalent form.

Incapacity lasts more than seven days
If your employee is sick for more than seven days, you can ask them to give you some form of medical evidence or a fit note from their doctor to support payment of SSP.

As an employer, the decision on whether or not evidence of illness is required, and if so, what evidence is acceptable, ultimately rests with you.”

It’s up to you if you want the evidence or no but you can download the SC2 here, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf

[vodkancoke]

*jonnyboy ...sorry for the incorrect spelling of your name!

[vodkancoke]

Thanks Chuck and Corbyloon for your info.

That'll teach me to come on a question and answer site to ask a question! lol

[vodkancoke]

Thanks housemouse, she should be able to get one from her doc then.

[China Doll]

Is she still in hospital? If so, have her husband speak to the nurse/doctor and they should have some on the ward.

If she has been discharged but is still too ill to return to work then she just needs a sick certificate from her GP which given hospital admission, she should just be able to phone up, request and have husband collect and post to you. I was given a sick certificate by my consultant when I left the ward after my op to cover me for four weeks and then was able to phone and get an extension from the temporary GP I was booked with as I was actually staying at my mothers at the time.

[vodkancoke]

She is out of hospital, she was in for a week but is unfit to return to work.

I will probably do that housemouse, thanks

[THECORBYLOON]

By the way, SSP is not paid for the three waiting days and the link to the guide is here, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/e14.pdf

[Postdog]

Plautus I've only read your answer so far, but how rude! At least this employer is trying to do something to help his employee, and you are wrong to knock that.

[China Doll]

Wouldn't the GP still have to sign the sick cert regardless of whether one is posted out or not though? I'd have thought it would just be a lot easier to contact the GP.