Employment Rights and Sick Pay Provisions in the UK—Guidance for New Joinees

 

The Statutory Sick Pay policy in the UK covers employees' entitlements to sick pay. Employees are eligible for sick pay under the SSP on the condition that they have received their employment contract and have done significant work worth over  £125 of income. 

The entitlement starts after three consecutive days of absence from illness. Employees must respect the employer’s right to ask for a health certificate as proof of illness.” In some cases of minor conditions, an online medical certificate in the UK is appropriate for short-term leaves lasting 3-7 days in a row.  Whether you are a fresher or have changed your job recently, here’s some information on SSP entitlements, obligations and priorities to brush up your knowledge. 

How the Statutory Sick Pay Applies to New Joinees in a UK Workplace

It is quite surprising how common it is for new joiners to fall sick in the initial days of their job. Online forums are filled with topics related to employees who have just started a new job and have got sick! There is nothing to feel intimidated or ashamed about. However, you need to understand your rights and responsibilities concerning sick pay. Nowadays, employees even open up to receiving an online medical certificate in the UK from new joiners to approve sick pay. 

Generally, the SSP policies are the same for all kinds of employees. Certain variations in the rules might apply to specific job roles, including that of company directors, agency workers, and employees in the education sector; directors and educational workers have different rules for entitlement. You may still have to pay SSP even if you stop trading. Below is an outline of the basic entitlement: 

Entitlement: There is no discrimination between new and old joiners in terms of sick pay under the SSP policy. The benefit covers a standard weekly rate of £118.75 (as of May 2025) for a maximum period of 28 weeks. 

Qualifying Days: The SSP entitlement only applies to the ‘qualifying days’, just like wages are paid on regular days. It is subject to tax and National Insurance deductions. 

Medical Evidence: Self-attestation is allowed for employees taking leave for an illness lasting more than 3 days and less than 7 days. This process is about sending the employer a written note about your absence and informing them when you will come back to work. This “notification” is usually provided in the form of a written email; some organisations have a form or certificate system. If you are a new joiner, verify the details with your HR or employer. 

Types of Sick Notes: Two types of medical certificates apply for the SSP process; one is an “unwell to attend work” certificate that medically verifies that you have been ill and are not violating the benefit. The other is a "fit note", which is usually required for consecutive leaves spanning longer than 7 days, and it certifies whether you are ready to go back to work or need any adjustments at work regarding time, workload, ergonomics, or mobility. While you can use an online medical certificate in the UK, it is only eligible for a certain period and type of illness. 

The Role of Medical Evidence And Eligibility of Using an Online Medical Certificate in the UK 

The importance of medical evidence is in the best interest of the employer's rights to ascertain that the employee has been really sick and is not trying to misuse paid leave by falsifying their illness. Employee wellness is also a priority here, as it provides the management with vital information about their health and working capacity. It also allows teams to make the new joiner feel at ease with supportive scheduling, task distribution and resource allocation.

Now, coming to the certification part. Obtaining this vital piece of medical documentation traditionally required the employee to see the GP in person. Nowadays, the majority of employers and organisations in the UK are more open to receiving an online medical certificate for short-term leaves lasting less than 7 days and minor illnesses. This replaces the gap in self-attested sick certification by personalised digital assessments. Many UK-based digital health services offer same-day appointments, and certificates are emailed to you directly, allowing for rapid submission to your HR department. Just ensure that any service you use is approved by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or regulated by an appropriate body.

Work Sick Leaves in the UK— Know Your Rights and Responsibilities as a New Joinee

As a new joinee, it’s important to understand your responsibilities when taking sick leave. Notify your employer promptly—preferably before your shift begins or as outlined in your contract.

Submit a self-certification form for illnesses lasting 7 days or less. Provide a fit note for illnesses lasting longer than 7 days. Maintaining proper documentation and notification procedures is crucial to protecting employee rights and sick pay entitlement. 

Keep communication open with your line manager or HR department about the company policies or perspective on accepting an online medical certificate in UK. Whether you’re dealing with a short-term illness or managing an ongoing health condition, you shouldn’t feel awkward as a joinee to communicate the same. You are not alone in this.