It's never ideal to fall ill at work – but if it does happen, that's where your sick pay rights come into place.

Many employers will have their own rules on how - and what - they'll pay you. But there are laws that protect you if you're poorly for four days or more.

Statutory Sick Pay is a legal entitlement that covers all employees, including agency, casual, part time and fixed-term workers - providing you aren't self-employed.

And just like the minimum wage rise and the introduction of payslips for all from April, sick pay guidelines are changing next month, as reported in the Mirror.

In the UK, workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay if they are an employee, are sick for four full days or more in a row (including non-working days) and earn on average at least £116 a week before tax.

This is currently £92.05 a week for up to 28 weeks - and is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages, with tax and national insurance deducted on top.

However, on April 6, the qualifying criteria for statutory sick pay as well as the amount of money staff will be entitled to earn each week, will change.

"Individuals will need to earn at least £118 per week in order to qualify for weekly payments of £94.25," explained employment rights expert Alan Price.

"Similarly, the rate of pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay will increase to £148.68 per week from the 7 April 2019, which may mean employers have to amend their policies accordingly."

You can find out more on your rights and taking time off work here.
