What is a Statement of Sickness - Form SC2?
In the United Kingdom, employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. To claim SSP, an employee must provide their employer with a statement of sickness, also known as a sick note or medical certificate. In this article, we will discuss what a statement of sickness is, when it is needed, and how to obtain one.
What is a Statement of Sickness?
A statement of sickness is a document that provides evidence that an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. It is usually issued by a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional. The document includes details such as the employee’s name, the date of the statement, the date the illness or injury started, and the expected duration of the illness or injury. It may also include information about any treatments the employee is receiving and any restrictions on their ability to work.
When is a Statement of Sickness Needed?
An employee will need to provide their employer with a statement of sickness if they are absent from work due to illness or injury for more than four consecutive days. This is known as a “period of incapacity for work”. If the employee is absent for less than four days, they do not need to provide a statement of sickness, but they may still be entitled to SSP if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
Employers may also require a statement of sickness for shorter absences, particularly if the employee has a history of frequent or unexplained absences. In such cases, the employer may request that the employee provide a statement of sickness for absences of one or two days.
How to Obtain a Statement of Sickness?
To obtain a statement of sickness, an employee should make an appointment with their doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional. The appointment should be as soon as possible after the start of the illness or injury. If the employee is unable to leave their home due to their condition, they or may be able to arrange for a phone or video consultation.
During the appointment, the employee should explain their symptoms and provide any relevant information about their job and workplace. The healthcare professional will then assess the employee’s condition and provide a statement of sickness if appropriate. The statement of sickness will usually be provided on a standard form, which the employee should sign and give to their employer.
If the employee’s condition changes during the period of sickness, they may need to obtain a new statement of sickness with updated information. For example, if the employee initially expects to be absent from work for five days but their condition worsens and they need to be absent for a longer period, they will need a new statement of sickness to cover the extended period.
Form SC2
The SC2 form in the UK is used to apply for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) as an employee who is not eligible for sick pay from their employer. You should use form SC2 to request your company for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). You must have been off your job due to sickness for greater than 3 days continuously to be eligible to make the claim. After you’ve filled out the form SC2, provide it to your employer, it'll help them decide if you could get SSP. It is not mandatory to use this form and employers can require the employee to apply their own form of self-certification if they like.
You Can Get the SC2 Form From Several Sources:
You can use the online version of the form SC2 here.
Download from the official government website: The SC2 form can be downloaded from the UK government website. Simply search for "SC2 form" on the website, and you should be directed to the appropriate page where you can download the form.
Request by phone: You can also request the SC2 form by phone by calling the Statutory Payment Helpline on 0300 200 3500. They will send you the form by post.
Request from your doctor: If you have been signed off from work due to illness or injury, you can ask your doctor for an SC2 form. They may be able to provide you with a copy or direct you to where you can get one.
Once you have the SC2 form, you will need to fill it out and send it to your employer to claim SSP. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and provide all necessary information, including your personal details, the start and end date of your illness or injury, and any other relevant details. Your employer will use the information on the form to determine your eligibility for SSP and to calculate the amount you are entitled to.
What Happens if the Employer Does Not Accept the Employee’s Statement of Sickness to Claim Statutory Sick Pay?
If an employer does not accept an employee’s statement of sickness to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK, there are several steps that the employee can take to resolve the issue.
Firstly, the employee should check whether they meet the eligibility criteria for SSP. To be eligible for SSP, the employee must have been off work for at least four consecutive days due to illness or injury and earn an average of at least £120 per week. If the employee does not meet these criteria, they may not be entitled to SSP.
If the employee believes they are eligible for SSP, they should speak to their employer and explain why they believe their statement of sickness is valid. The employer may have specific policies or procedures in place for dealing with sick pay claims, so it is important to understand these and follow them.
If the employer still refuses to accept the statement of sickness, the employee may be able to make a complaint or appeal the decision. This may involve contacting the employer’s HR department, trade union representative, or independent mediation service. The employee may also be able to seek advice from organizations such as Citizens Advice or ACAS.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, the employee may need to take legal action. They can make a claim to an employment tribunal, which will consider the evidence and make a decision on whether the employer has acted unfairly or unlawfully. It is important to note that there are strict time limits for making a claim, so the employee should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Thus, if an employer does not accept an employee’s statement of sickness to claim Statutory Sick Pay in the UK, the employee should check their eligibility for SSP, speak to their employer and follow any procedures in place, make a complaint or appeal if necessary, and seek legal advice if all else fails.
Conclusion
A statement of sickness is an important document for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It provides evidence of the employee’s condition and helps ensure that they receive the SSP they are entitled to. Employees should make sure to obtain a statement of sickness as soon as possible after the start of their illness or injury and provide it to their employer promptly. This will help ensure that the employer can make any necessary arrangements to cover the employee’s absence and that the employee receives the SSP they are entitled to.