When I was 23, I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.
The revelation came as a shock. Treatment required five weeks of radiotherapy at a specialized facility for young individuals. The daily commute to the hospital for treatment was a 40-mile journey.
Due to the draining side effects and the time consumed in hospital preparations, parking, and waiting, it was impractical to maintain my job at a major retail chain, necessitating an extended leave.
During such challenging times, one hopes for employer support. Regrettably, the inadequate sick pay safeguards in the UK fell short in my case and for many others.
Initially, I received only two weeks of paid sick leave from my employer, followed by statutory sick pay (SSP) for several months, amounting to less than £3 per hour for a full-time employee like myself.
It was a challenging period. Fortunately, my partner, family, and friends provided support, and I also received assistance from organizations such as Young Lives vs Cancer.
Through my involvement in the Safe Sick Pay campaign, I encountered numerous individuals facing even more dire situations, with some receiving no sick pay at all during their treatment.
Insufficient sick pay also adversely impacts individuals requiring time off for minor illnesses. For those on shift schedules, delayed payment from the fourth day of illness can result in almost a week’s wages being forfeited.
Hence, it was dismaying to learn that certain members of the House of Lords are opposing the implementation of day one sick pay entitlements through the Employment Rights Bill.
Opposing day one sick pay entitlements and aid for the lowest earners is unjust. These reforms do not demand excessive measures from employers; they simply require them to ensure that individuals receive basic support to recuperate and return to work safely.
In contrast, many parts of the world, including most of Europe, already provide such support as a standard.
Therefore, I urge the House of Lords, along with other affected workers facing inadequate sick pay, to act responsibly today: approve the bill and thereby implement crucial measures toward a more equitable sick pay system for millions.
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