Should I Be Paid If I Am Off Work With Coronavirus? - Paul Doran Law

Belfast Office
12 Carnmoney Road
Glengormley
County Antrim BT36 6HN

Leeds Office
West One
114 Wellington Street
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 1BA

London Office
124 City Road
London EC1V 2NX

Newcastle Office
Gear House
Saltmeadows Road
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear NE8 3AH

Telephone: 0808 1687 288
Email: enquiries@pauldoranlaw.com

Should I Be Paid If I Am Off Work With Coronavirus?

At the time of writing, 85 people in the UK have Coronavirus. As you are probably aware, in most cases the condition is not serious, but it is known to be highly infectious.Sick Pay The question for may people though is will I be paid if I am off work even if I have no entitlement to sick pay?

The Chief Medical Officer has said that an epidemic is likely, and that up to one in five people could be off work at the same time.

To avoid catching Coronavirus, you are supposed to avoid close contact with other people who have it, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

If you get Coronavirus despite these precautions, you are supposed to self-isolate – that is, stay at home – so you don’t pass it on to anyone else.

If you’re an employee and you’re off work because you’re ill, whether you are entitled to sick pay will generally depend on the terms of your contract. If there are sick pay provisions within the contract, these will apply.

If you have no contractual right to sick pay, or you have used up all your available sick leave, the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provisions will apply. You are usually entitled to SSP from the FOURTH day.

The government has stated that it doesn’t want people who ‘do the right thing’ to be financially penalised. So, in an attempt to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, they have announced that employees will get SSP from the FIRST day they are off sick.

This emergency legislation is intended to protect other people from catching the virus. Further details are yet to be announced. For example, you may need to get a PHE self-isolation notice from a doctor or NHS 111, and won’t qualify for SSP if you’re off work because you’re scared of catching the disease.

Things to be aware of

SSP is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks. This compares with the typical take home page of £277.35 (the National Living Wage) for someone who works 37.5 hours per week.

SSP covers the days you would usually work, and is paid on your normal payday with your usual tax and National Insurance deductions.

Note that your employer can’t force you to take annual leave if you’re off sick.

There are some exceptions:

How you might be affected (even if you’re not infected)

Some companies are already closing their offices or requiring staff to work from home.

For example, thousands of people from Google’s Dublin office were asked to work remotely when one employee displayed flu-like symptoms.

Also, when a Deloitte employee contracted Coronavirus on a trip to Asia, people who’d been in contact with them had to work from home, and staff who worked on the same floor were sent home so the office could be deep-cleaned.

Further reading

You might find our other articles useful:

Need help?

For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.

See what they say >

You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.

Browse funding options >

At the time of writing, 85 people in the UK have Coronavirus. As you are probably aware, in most cases the condition is not serious, but it is known to be highly infectious.

The Chief Medical Officer has said that an epidemic is likely, and that up to one in five people could be off work at the same time.

To avoid catching Coronavirus, you are supposed to avoid close contact with other people who have it, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

If you get Coronavirus despite these precautions, you are supposed to self-isolate – that is, stay at home – so you don’t pass it on to anyone else.

If you’re an employee and you’re off work because you’re ill, whether you are entitled to sick pay will generally depend on the terms of your contract. If there are sick pay provisions within the contract, these will apply.

If you have no contractual right to sick pay, or you have used up all your available sick leave, the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provisions will apply. You are usually entitled to SSP from the FOURTH day.

The government has stated that it doesn’t want people who ‘do the right thing’ to be financially penalised. So, in an attempt to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, they have announced that employees will get SSP from the FIRST day they are off sick.

This emergency legislation is intended to protect other people from catching the virus. Further details are yet to be announced. For example, you may need to get a PHE self-isolation notice from a doctor or NHS 111, and won’t qualify for SSP if you’re off work because you’re scared of catching the disease.

Things to be aware of

SSP is £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks. This compares with the typical take home page of £277.35 (the National Living Wage) for someone who works 37.5 hours per week.

SSP covers the days you would usually work, and is paid on your normal payday with your usual tax and National Insurance deductions.

Note that your employer can’t force you to take annual leave if you’re off sick.

There are some exceptions:

How you might be affected (even if you’re not infected)

Some companies are already closing their offices or requiring staff to work from home.

For example, thousands of people from Google’s Dublin office were asked to work remotely when one employee displayed flu-like symptoms.

Also, when a Deloitte employee contracted Coronavirus on a trip to Asia, people who’d been in contact with them had to work from home, and staff who worked on the same floor were sent home so the office could be deep-cleaned.

Further reading

You might find our other articles useful:

Need help?

For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.

See what they say >

You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.

Browse funding options >

Back to all news

Share Article With:

Call us on
0808 1687288
or fill in this
Free Online Enquiry

(no cost or obligation)

We will only use the information you provide to handle your enquiry, and we will never share it with any third parties.

What Our Clients Say

I found all the staff to be knowledgeable and highly professional. Stephanie W

My experience has been a very professional one. The case ran smoothly from the get go. I was always kept in the loop. Dinah T

Up to date information. Easy to contact. Knowledgeable solicitor. No win without him. Audrey S

Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice, would recommend. Ken S

Efficient and helpful. Takes the claimant points into consideration. Angela R

Paul Doran Law has been extremely helpful and supportive in very difficult circumstances. I would highly recommend them as professionals to others and have a lot of faith in their advice. David R

Although a lengthy case I have been constantly updated throughout. Susan R

Paul answered me promptly, was very helpful and advised me what to do. Winifred P

Paul Doran was very helpful during my communication. Friendly and professional. Adrian M

Cormac is a very reassuring person, he made sure I was kept up to date as my case progressed and was always supportive when I got the jitters. He was very diligent and methodical whilst representing me. Iain M

Professional approach and positive attitude. Shirley M

Competent and efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

Very helpful. Emma McA

Satisfied with service. Susan H

Very satisfied with the professional way case was handled. Evelyn H

Staff and solicitor very helpful at all times. Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously, and in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

Very friendly and competent service. Peter G

My experience using Paul was very professional at all times. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Straight forward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result, Paul did a lot of work. Thank you. Lyn E

Felt at ease and was listened to; got excellent advice. Gemma D

Very professional and always willing to help and offer advice when needed on the situation. Lytreena D

Outstanding, friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

Very professional and always left valued as a client. I feel that the company has worked very hard to get me a good result. Christine C

From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard, after which the process was then easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

Confident in representation. June B

Very happy with all aspects of my experience from initial contact to finish. Andrew B

Understanding and very prompt. Michelle W

Completely professional, and secured a settlement beyond my expectations. Cormac was exceptional – very many thanks. Joan W

Very happy with results. Very grateful for all Paul and his team have done for me. I feel valued as a client, my questions were always answered very quickly. Thank you. Anna V

Very good, professional. Amida S

Always responsive, courteous and supportive. Would recommend to friends and family without hesitation. David S

Easy and efficient and professional at all times. Stephanie R

Very good. Yusuf O

Excellent, efficient and prompt legal advice. Very satisfied with service provided. Lisa N

It took me a long time to find a solicitor who would support my case. I’m so glad I found Paul Doran Law who brought me success. Shirley N

I have had a very pleasant experience using Paul Doran Law and would definitely use again. Rebecca McM

The service was always informative, dignified and respectful. Chloe McL

I would definitely recommend. Colleen McB

Cormac was excellent from start to finish. I have already recommended him to friends and family. Sam M

Paul Doran Law were professional and very concerned about my feelings and what I had been through. I felt that they cared. Lisa M

Professional, helpful, very knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Bekki M

I found Cormac very compassionate and was always there as I had a lot of queries. Stephen McG

Impressed with accessibly, speed of response and professionalism. Edna L

Cormac was very professional and reassuring at all times. Kat K

Great, a good experience. Thank you. Mary K

Professional, efficient and friendly. Tabitha K

Very well treated throughout. I was always listened to and my questions answered. Allan H

I found Mr Rice to be professional, amiable and my overall experience was a positive one. Marcel G

I received valued information initially and came back later to receive a very satisfactory outcome. Lyn F

Put at ease very early on which helped me feel less stress. Harry D

I can’t thank you enough. I am so glad with the outcome and will recommend you. Christopher B

Cormac was great. Tom B

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. Shelia H

This claim has been handled professionally and without delays. I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Should the need arise I would definitely use Paul Doran’s services again. Suzie U

Any queries were answered quickly with detailed responses.  Sharon H

Everything was written very simply and in plain English which was good. Sylvia B

When time lines have been set, they have been met. I did not just feel like a case number. Karen S

When I emailed, Paul replied straight away.Very friendly and easy to talk to. Rita C

Paul was very thorough and helpful and successfully brought my case to an end. Margaret C

I feel strongly that Paul cares about clients. Pamela R

Paul was very reasonable and fair regarding the fees deducted from my claim offer I was awarded. Deborah McM

Very professional all the way through the process. Sharon C

I found all the staff to be knowledgeable and highly professional. Stephanie W

Well informed and easy to contact. I wouldn’t have won my case without him. Audrey S

Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice. Would recommend. Ken S

Efficient. Helpful. Take the clients points into consideration. Angela R

Paul Doran Law has been extremely helpful and supportive in very difficult circumstances. David R

Although a lengthy case, I have been constantly updated throughout. Jenny R

Professional and efficient service with helpful and friendly staff. Susan R

My case was handled professionally and my solicitor was very understanding and quick to respond. Eleanor P

Paul was very helpful and friendly. Adrian M

Cormac is a very reassuring person. He was very supportive when I got the jitters. Iain M

Kept going when it did not good and achieved a successful outcome. Shirley M

Competent, efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac deserves a salary for counselling alone! Lesley A

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

They were quick to get things sorted. Emma McA

Very satisfied with the outcome to my case. Evelyn H

Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

I liked the personal touch. I received phone calls with updates instead of relying on letters all of the time. Sharon C

Very friendly and competent service. Peter G

Very professional. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Straightforward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result. Paul did a lot of work. Lyn E

Very professional and always willing to help and offer advice when needed. Lytreena D

Very pleasant manner from staff and solicitors. Sara C

Outstanding. Friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

I feel the company worked very hard to get the result. Christine C

From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard after which to prove the case got easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

Very good overall service. Judith B

Very happy with all aspects of my experience from initial contact to finish. Andrew B

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Paula F

Very professional. I always felt valued as a client Christine C

Paul was extremely professional and efficient Lesley A

Outstanding – friendly service from start to finish Matthew C

Paul Doran was very helpful during my communications, friendly & professional. Adrian M

I found right from the beginning Paul was very friendly and easy to ask questions at any time. Rita C

Paul is prompt, friendly and approachable. I liked how he was committed to my case and kept me informed. Judith P

I appreciate the thorough and expedient manner to which the task was completed. Barbara H

I feel Paul really cares about his clients and works to get the best outcome and justice for them.  Elaine S

My claim has been handled professionaly and without delays.  I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Paul’s legal service is professional and thorough. Sharon H

I entrusted him with something that was very important to me and he did not let me down. Deborah McM

I was in contact with Paul on many occasions and all queries were dealt with personally and politely. Judith C

It has been a pleasure using Paul Doran Law. I would recommend him to friends and family. Sylvia B

Cormac was an absolute pleasure to work with – very polite, helpful, and thoughtful. Jessica D

Paul was polite and considerate and efficient. I would highly recommend this firm Geraldine A

I have been very impressed by the industry knowledge and the level of service provided. Nuala M

Quick, honest and responsive.

J Chambers

The service provided has been delivered beyond expectation.

K L Stokoe

Recommend without reservation.

J Taylor

If Paul had not taken on my case, I would not have received monies owed to me. E Shefford

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. S Hall

View more testimonials

Why Choose Us?

  • We only work for employees
  • 25+ Years' Experience
  • No Win, No Fee available
  • Insurance to protect against Tribunal fees