How does sick leave work?

Sick leave accrues at 2 paid sickness days per month for the first 12 months of employment, then 4 days per month after that, up to a maximum of 120 accumulated days.

How sickness allowance works: • It is payable when the sick leave lasts 4 or more consecutive days and is supported by a medical certificate • The rate is 4/5 (80%) of the helper's average daily wages, paid no later than the normal pay day • The helper must have accumulated enough paid sickness days to cover the absence

Two further employer obligations worth knowing: • Free medical treatment — under the Standard Employment Contract (ID 407), the employer provides free medical treatment whenever the helper is ill or injured, regardless of whether it is work-related • Termination protection — dismissing a helper while she is on paid statutory sick leave is unlawful except in cases of summary dismissal for serious misconduct

Keep the medical certificates on file; they are the paper trail for both the allowance and any later dispute.