At the age of 23, I received the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. This news came as a shock, requiring a five-week radiotherapy treatment course at a specialized facility for young patients. The daily commute of 40 miles to the hospital for treatment became a challenging routine.
Due to the draining side effects and the time-consuming hospital visits, including preparation, parking, and waiting, I had to take a prolonged leave from my job at a well-known supermarket chain. The limited sick pay benefits provided by my employer and the subsequent switch to statutory sick pay (SSP) at a significantly reduced rate posed financial challenges, averaging less than £3 per hour for a full-time employee like myself.
During this tough period, the support from my partner, family, and friends, along with assistance from organizations like Young Lives vs Cancer, was invaluable. However, many individuals I have encountered through the Safe Sick Pay campaign have faced even more dire situations, with some receiving no sick pay at all during their treatment.
Insufficient sick pay not only affects those battling serious illnesses but also impacts individuals requiring time off for minor ailments. For workers on shifts, the delay in receiving payment until the fourth day of illness can result in significant income loss, nearly equivalent to a week’s wages.
I was taken aback to learn that some members of the House of Lords are attempting to obstruct the implementation of day one sick pay rights under the Employment Rights Bill. Denying day one sick pay rights and neglecting support for low-wage earners is unjust. These proposed changes simply aim to ensure that employers provide the minimum support for individuals to recuperate and return to work safely, rather than burdening them with unrealistic demands.
In contrast to the UK, where sick pay provisions are lacking, many other regions globally, particularly in Europe, have established more robust support systems for sick leave. Therefore, I urge the House of Lords, alongside other affected workers, to prioritize passing the bill, ushering in essential improvements to the sick pay structure for millions of individuals.