Currently, under the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Rebate Scheme, employers can reclaim up to two week’s SSP for employees who are unable to work because they either:

• Have COVID-19;
• Have COVID-19 symptoms; 
• Are self-isolating because they live with someone who has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19;
• Are self-isolating because they have been notified by the NHS or public health bodies that they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19;
• Are self-isolating because they have been notified by the NHS to self-isolate before surgery for up to 14 days. 

This rebate scheme is however due to close on 17^th March 2022, meaning that employers will no longer be able to reclaim SSP for COVID-related absences or self-isolation periods that occur after 17^th March 2022.

Any new claims must be submitted by the 24^th March 2022 with respect to any absence periods before the 17^th March 2022. Alternatively, employers must amend any claims they have already submitted before this date.

Therefore, following this, the normal SSP rules will return, meaning that employers will need to pay SSP from the fourth qualifying day an employee is off work, even where the absence is COVID-19 related, or as a result of self-isolation.

If you would like any further information concerning the issues raised in this article, please feel free to contact the employment department at Berry Smith on 02920 345 511 or at employment@berrysmith.com.