New legislation will make sick pay and family-friendly leave available from day one, with low earners eligible for SSP without a minimum earnings threshold.

Statutory sick pay (SSP) and family-friendly types of leave, including paternity leave, parental leave, and bereavement leave will become day one rights, i.e. there will be no requirement to have been employed, or to be sick, for a specified period of time before qualifying for these rights.
In addition, it is proposed that the lower earnings limit for receipt of SSP will be removed, so no minimum average earnings will be required to qualify for SSP, and low earners will qualify for 80% of their average weekly earnings as SSP if off sick.
Employment Rights Bill information that's relevant to your sector
We've created one central hub for independent retailers to access key information on the Employment Rights Bill, set to be in force in summer 2025.
Related Resources
-
Employment Rights Bill | Trade Unions
The Employment Rights Bill proposes stronger Trade Union rights, including workplace access and updated recognition rules.
-
Employment Rights Bill | Flexible Working
Flexible working will become the default, with employers required to provide reasonable grounds when refusing employee requests under strengthened day-one rights.
-
Employment Rights Bill | Single Enforcement Body
A new Labour Market Enforcement Body, the Fair Work Agency, will consolidate and strengthen enforcement of workplace rights.