Sick Pay: Farming Industry

The Farming Industry has some marked differences is sick pay legislation, PAYE regulations don’t pay sick pay over the statutory daily rate currently standing at £21.88 per day and commencing from the 4th consecutive day of absence. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable for the first 28 weeks of sickness, after which the employee can apply for support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

If you were employed pre-October 2013 and off with work-related injury or illness, then they you may be entitled to claim Agricultural Sick Pay (ASP) If you were employed post October 2013 you can only claim SSP.

When it comes to working out how much an employee is due, you multiply the maximum number of weeks you can claim ASP by the number of days regularly worked including any guaranteed overtime. This number tells you how much is due over a 12-month period & is payable from the first full day of sickness. However, it should be clarified that you need to be off for 14 days in total before you receive payment backdated to day 1 of absence.

Example, Jack a grade 5 worker has been employed for 34 months. He works 8 Hours per day, 5 days per week, Jack would be entitled to 16 X 5 = 80 days at £91.92 per day of ASP. If Jack is off for more than 80 days, he may be able to apply to the DWP for support.

Example

Jack a grade 5 worker has been employed for 34 months. He works 8 Hours per day, 5 days per week, Jack would be entitled to 16 X 5 = 80 days at £91.92 per day of ASP. If Jack is off for more than 80 days, he may be able to apply to the DWP for support.

For more information or advice, please do contact your local Whitings Office.