Statutory sick pay (SSP) is a United Kingdom social security benefit.
It is paid by an employer to all employees who are off work because of sickness for longer than 3 consecutive workdays (or 3 non-consecutive workdays falling within an 8-week period) but less than 28 weeks and who normally pay National Insurance contributions (NICs), often referred to as earning above the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL).
Section 151 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 requires employers to make payments.
SSP is not paid to a number of categories of employees, including: If the individual is unable to work for medical reasons for longer than 28 weeks, entitlement to SSP ceases, but the person may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.
The UK's level of statutory sick pay is currently amongst the lowest of all OECD countries.