Employees say Sick Pay is the most Important Benefit

Sick pay, income protection, is the most important employee benefit according to 84% of employees according to research by Wagestream – a financial wellbeing firm.

The survey found that 83% of employees said that they cannot afford to take time off sick and therefore have worked even when they have been unwell with the majority of the employees stating that being signed off work for just two weeks would put them under financial pressure due to current legislations. A quarter of employees said that being signed off work due to illness for two weeks would result in them having to go witout food or heating in their home.

Emily Trant from Wagestream, said: “The UK’s sick pay crisis requires urgent action on two fronts. Firstly, we need to ensure that no worker is left behind: it’s unacceptable that frontline workers pay more for basic services, and, on top of that, are given less protection for their income. Secondly, it’s time to modernise policy and ensure employers aren’t left alone to solve the problem. ”

Sick pay – income protection provides a regular income to employees if they are unable to work as a result of illness or injury. Many companies use group income protection to help their employees in times of long term sickness absence by paying a proportion of salary until the employee returns to work, reaches state pension age or if they die whilst claiming. The employee can choose how long sickness absences last before payments start as well as choosing the length of time the employee should be paid for. The employer can also arrange a reduced amount to be paid if the sick employee can only return to work on a part time basis.

If you have an sick pay (income protection) policy in place at your business and would like it reviewed or are interested in putting a policy in place for you and your employees then call BDHL today for impartical knowledge advice on 01982 891900 or email enquiries@bdhl.co.uk