In the event of sickness absence from work, you or some other person on your behalf, must report your inability to attend in accordance with the following procedure:
- On the first three days of sickness absence: Notify your school/office as soon as practicable and advise of likely duration of absence. If sickness begins on a non-working day, notification should be as soon as practicable on the next working day. The first day of sickness is regarded as the first day of sickness absence.
- If sickness absence continues to fourth day: Notify school/office on that day or if that day is a non-working day, the next working day, and advise of likely duration of absence.
- On return of work after 4, 5, 6 or 7 days absence: Obtain and fill in a self-certification form.
- If sickness absence continues for 8 days or more: By no later than the eighth day, obtain a medical certificate from your doctor, obtain and fill in a self-certification form to cover the first seven days and send both to your manager, submit further medical certificates to cover any continued absence.
- All 7 days of the week count when calculating sickness absence including non-working days.
- Should you fail to comply with the requirements of this procedure, entitlement to sickness allowance may be suspended.
- Entitlement to sickness allowance is dependent upon your service at the start of absence as follows:
| Service |
Full pay |
Half pay |
|---|
| Less than 18 weeks |
Nil |
Nil |
| 18 weeks but less than 1 year |
31 days |
31 days |
| 1 year but less than 2 years |
61 days |
61 days |
| 2 years but less than 3 years |
122 days |
122 days |
| 3 years but less than 5 years |
152 days |
152 days |
| 5 years of more |
183 days |
183 days |
To calculate entitlement: Determine service and deduct aggregate of any period(s) of absence due to sickness over preceding twelve months
To calculate sick pay: Full Pay:
- Where entitled to SSP, a sum equal to full normal pay
- Where not entitled, or no longer entitled, to SSP, the full sickness allowance will be a sum which when added to the benefits payable under the National Insurance Acts gives a sum equal to full normal pay
To calculate sick pay: Half Pay:
- Where entitled to SSP, a sum equal to half normal pay, provided that this sum, when added to SSP, does not exceed full normal pay
- Where not entitled, or no longer entitled, to SSP, a sum equal to half normal pay, provided that this sum, when added to the benefits payable under the National Insurance Acts, does not exceed full normal pay.
The above is merely a guide to enable you to be aware of your entitlement. The regulations relating to sick pay will govern any question of interpretation/entitlement.
Next: Acting appointments — allowances (Teacher only) (Temporarily Undertaking Duties of a Higher Grade)
