How to use a sick pay calculator for UK statutory rules
If you fall ill and cannot work, checking your payslip can be a confusing experience. Unlike regular salary, UK Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is heavily regulated by specific rules that often result in employees receiving less than they expect. Using our sick pay calculator helps you clear up the confusion instantly.
To use the tool above, simply enter the number of days you usually work per week (these are known as your 'qualifying days'). Then, enter how many of those normal work days you missed due to illness. The calculator will automatically apply the legal deductions and current HMRC rates.
The brutal truth about the 3 "waiting days"
The most common reason people search for this tool is the shock of seeing a zero-pound payment for short illnesses. Under UK employment law, the first 3 qualifying days you are off sick are called "waiting days".
You do not receive any statutory sick pay for these first three days. SSP is only payable from your 4th qualifying day of absence. For example, if you normally work Monday to Friday and you call in sick on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, your statutory sick pay for that week will be exactly £0.00.
How much is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) right now?
The UK government sets a fixed weekly rate for SSP. For the current tax year, the standard rate is £116.75 per week. You can receive this for up to 28 weeks.
Because SSP is a weekly figure, your daily rate depends entirely on how many days a week you normally work. If you work 5 days a week, your daily SSP rate is £23.35. If you only work 3 days a week, your daily rate jumps to £38.91 (because the £116.75 is split across fewer days). Our tool handles this math for you automatically.
Comparing this to your company sick pay
It is important to remember that this calculator only works out the legal statutory minimum. Many employers offer a more generous "occupational scheme" or "company sick pay" (for example, paying your full normal salary for the first 5 days of illness). You should always check your employment contract. If your company sick pay is lower than the statutory minimum, the law requires them to pay you the statutory rate.