Holly Phillips and Sarah Sanderson, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
BBCResidents have given a mixed response to the government’s new sick pay policy, after an East Yorkshire MP suggested it could discourage people from going to work.
Graham Stuart criticised measures under the Employment Rights Bill, which ministers say will “help millions” by requiring employers to pay statutory sick pay from the first day a worker is absent, instead of the fourth.
Constituents in the market town of Hedon were divided. Keith Pollard said he thought it was a good idea during a cost of living crisis, adding: “It’s about time they did something about it.”
But Barbara Bucknall said the rule was a “detrimental backwards step” and would “encourage people to take days off sick”.
Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, argued the policy “encourages people for the most minor reason not to go to work”.
“You’ve got people who are throwing a sicky on a Monday when they’ve had a good time over the weekend,” he said.
“But if you are genuinely sick over an extended period, we need to make sure that workers are properly supported.”
The Employment Rights Bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords earlier this month and will return to the Commons on Monday for MPs to consider amendments made by peers. It is due to be enacted in April next year.
In Hedon, resident Caroline Addy said she agreed with the new rule “to a certain extent”.
“I think that guarantee that you’re not losing anything is good,” she said.
“But then I can see it from the employer’s point of view. It’s a knock-on effect for them, it’s more expense, you lose out on staff.
“It’s a good idea, but I think a lot of people will abuse it.”
Joe Rollin, a senior organiser at the union Unite, said people were “constantly worried” of being unable to pay their mortgage or rent if they fell sick.
Workers can get £118.75 per week of statutory sick pay if they are too ill to work. It is paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks.
However, Mr Rollin said there was “no way” people could support themselves on such a rate.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said “landmark reforms” to strengthen statutory sick pay would “help millions of workers by providing better financial security and support when they’re ill”.
“These plans to make work pay go hand in hand with our determination to get Britain back to health and back to work,” the spokesperson added.
“As part of this plan, we have also announced an independent review to better support disabled people and those with ill health who may be at risk of falling out of work to stay in employment.”