The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme is finally set to be open from May 26th, 2020!
This scheme allows small- and medium-sized businesses, with fewer than 250 employees, to be able to recover the costs of paying statutory sick pay for coronavirus-related illnesses. They will be able to claim for the funding for eligible periods of sickness from 13/03/2020.
There are guidelines about what you need to keep in order to make this claim – dates when the employee was sick, which dates are qualifying days, the reason they were off work and the employees NI number. You must keep all of these records for 3 years after you receive the payment for your claim. You can read more about how to check whether you are eligible here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-pay-paid-to-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
The scheme will cover 2 weeks of SSP at a rate of £95.85/week and it covers all types of employment contracts: full-time, part-time, agency contracts, flexible and zero-hour contracts.
There is more information in the news briefing here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-statutory-sick-pay-rebate-scheme-set-to-launch
I am continually monitoring the updates that the government and other business-related departments release and will continue to share that information for as long as I feel that it is beneficial to all businesses in the UK.
The information and policies are continually being updated by the government, so I urge you to keep on top of the information by visiting the relevant website for your area.
UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Wales: https://gov.wales/business-and-employers-coronavirus
Northern Ireland: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/
I will be trying to keep myself as informed as possible and will share relevant information on my fb business page: https://www.facebook.com/ihelmenterprises/