If your employee is absent from work due to sickness, you the employer, are responsible for administering Statutory Sick Pay. This will be paid in replacement of their usual salary and cannot be claimed back from the Government.

Household staff are entitled to receive Statutory Sick Pay from their employer as long as they are classed as an employee and have done some work for their employer.

If any of the circumstances below apply, then an employee is not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.

• If they have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks).
• If they have taken 3 years or more ‘linked periods’ of sickness – where 4 or more days of sickness happen within 8 weeks of each other.
• If they are receiving Statutory Maternity Pay.

• With effect from April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay will be paid from the first day of illness, instead of the fourth day.
• From April 2026, the Lower Earnings Limit will be removed. This means all employees, even those earning under £125 gross per week, will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

As part of your Stafftax subscription, you can use our Employer’s Members Area to report sickness. The payroll team will reflect the sick pay on the payslips so you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay your employee over the sickness period. If you ever need further advice or guidance through the process of sick leave, we’re here to lead the way.

If you would like to know more about domestic staff and sick pay please don’t hesitate to contact us or alternatively you can get going straight away and set up your domestic staff payroll now.