One of the first things I did when arriving at my current employment was insist that we standardise sick payment in regards to workplace accidents. We pay in full for the entire duration of their injury, although over 7 days need medical certificates so that we may ensure they are getting the medical treatment they need. We also offer full paid time off to attend any medical appointments that may be related to work place activity/accidents.

I explained that it reduces the likelihood of a claim, and is just the right thing to do. It is in no way an admission of liability, since we pay everyone regardless of fault. We have even paid for chiropractic appointments for those suffering from back complaints (although I regard this as unscientific woo, and no better than a good massage).

This is at complete odds with our general sick pay policy (i.e you don't get paid) in regards to medical appointments and time off sick.

Thankfully in my 18 months here we have only has 1 RIDDOR injury (about 10 working days off) and 3 single day injuries. The people injured felt a lot better knowing they were getting paid, and it has increased morale throughout the factory.

Originally Posted by: Svick1984

 where do you draw the line (if an accident cannot be 'put at the foot' of the individual or company outright)? Does it also immediately suggest culpability/liability if you do look to pay your employees when off work, even if it is a gesture of goodwill? Thanks.

As an employer you are always liable.  If you don't pay for a workplace injury at the time, an employee may end up making a claim to get this back through making a claim for compensation which you're EL insurance would cover, this is where the element of contributory negligence would be determined.

If you make payments while they are off work you could make them "without prejudice" rather that as a "good will gesture" but you would need to make sure you get legal advice.

If you do pay wages before a claim is brought all that will happen is the sum paid will be deducted from the final compensation award regardless of "if an accident cannot be 'put at the foot' of the individual or company outright".

Originally Posted by: ttxela

Wow, full pay if you are injured at work, but no sick pay or time off for medical appointments?

I don't think that would improve my morale.....

It depends where the base level was.... Remember before it was none ever..unless th eboss liked you!

Your employer pays no sick pay at all?  Really in this day and age?  I can't bring myself to think about the rest!

The sick pay element reminds me of an occurence some years ago when I worked for a small company that went through a period of rapid expansion and employed 8 people within the space of a few weeks roughly doubling its workforce, a policy was in place of no sick pay during your 6 months probationary period.

The dreaded winter vomiting bug swept through the place shortly after helped by the fact that people struggled in regardless to avoid being off with no pay. Of course people ended up having to go off sick once the bug had really kicked in and for a while it almost shut the place down.

We had a bit of a debrief afterwards with the result that this rule was revised and full sick pay was paid to everyone.

To this day my pet hate is people who struggle in, nose streaming, coughing and spluttering and snorting into tissues, running off to the bogs every 5 minutes.......we pay full sick pay @\"?+ off home!!!!

Presenteeism - once the preserve of the self important and the brown nose now a greater scourge thanks to the elimination of company sick pay schemes and the gig economy

Originally Posted by: ttxela

The sick pay element reminds me of an occurence some years ago when I worked for a small company that went through a period of rapid expansion and employed 8 people within the space of a few weeks roughly doubling its workforce, a policy was in place of no sick pay during your 6 months probationary period.

The dreaded winter vomiting bug swept through the place shortly after helped by the fact that people struggled in regardless to avoid being off with no pay. Of course people ended up having to go off sick once the bug had really kicked in and for a while it almost shut the place down.

We had a bit of a debrief afterwards with the result that this rule was revised and full sick pay was paid to everyone.

To this day my pet hate is people who struggle in, nose streaming, coughing and spluttering and snorting into tissues, running off to the bogs every 5 minutes.......we pay full sick pay @\"?+ off home!!!!

As someone with a dud immune system due to leukaemia but still working more or less full time this is the sort of thing that really scares me especially when applied to people in service industries.  I don't want to become a hermit but feel I need to just to protect myself from people spreading god knows what in shops, cafes and such like.

Originally Posted by: Hsquared14

Your employer pays no sick pay at all?  Really in this day and age?  I can't bring myself to think about the rest!

Would estimate that a least 50% of construction & railway industries are agency workers, no work...no pay.

Also holiday pay is included in your rate (Sic).....Pension is optional.

Not saying that this is morally correct/laudable just the way things are.

Edited by user 28 October 2019 10:16:32(UTC)  | Reason: spelling