From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules will change. These changes will mean employees will receive SSP from the first day of sickness (instead of day four) and the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit eligibility will mean all employees are entitled to SSP regardless of their earnings. This page brings together resources and practical tools to help you understand what’s changing, what it means for your organisation and how to stay compliant.

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CIPD and CIPP webinar: How payroll and people professionals can prepare for
SSP reforms

Member-exclusive webinar

The Employment Rights Act 2025 will reform Statutory Sick Pay, extending eligibility to 1.3 million low-paid workers and increasing demands on both HR and payroll teams. This webinar explores preparing for SSP changes, managing rising absence levels, mitigating cost and compliance risk, and embedding fair, evidence-based wellbeing approaches to improve performance and reintegration.  

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Useful resources on managing sick pay

Explore resources to help you comply with changes to statutory sick pay (SSP).

Please note, these resources outline the current legislation that governs trade unions and should still be followed until any changes come into force (expected dates are outlined on the Employment Rights Act 2025 tracker). We will update the content once any changes are enforced.

Guidance on managing short-term absence

Practical advice for people professionals on dealing with short-term sickness absence

Guidance on short-term absence
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Employment law overview on sickness absence management

Overview of current legal requirements relating to sickness absence and SSP

Employment law information on sickness absence

Guidance on managing employees with long-term health conditions

Practical advice and guiding principles for effective support

Guidance on managing employees with long-term health conditions

Absence management tools

Practical tools to help you manage absence effectively

Absence management tools

Benchmarking data on absence, health and wellbeing

Report providing essential benchmarking data and analysis on current and emerging health and wellbeing trends and practices in the workplace.

Data on health and wellbeing trends

Disclaimer 

​Please note: While every care has been taken in compiling this content, CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. 

Employment Rights Act
2025 tracker

Use the tracker to keep up to date with latest timeline and developments

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