Off sick long-term? Know what you're entitled to before they take it.
You are signed off and the money question is keeping you awake. What are you actually owed? When does it stop? What happens when statutory sick pay runs out and nobody is telling you anything?
Most people find out too late that their employer has been underpaying them, or that there were benefits sitting there they never claimed.
Written by a qualified solicitor with 23 years of employment law experience. England and Wales. General educational information, not individual legal advice.
What you get inside.
The complete financial picture for anyone on long-term sick leave. Statutory entitlements, contractual top-ups, holiday accrual, pension, and where the line is on employer contact.
Statutory sick pay (SSP).
The current statutory rate, qualifying rules, when it starts, when it stops, and what to do when it does.
Contractual sick pay.
How to read your contract and work out the top-up you should be getting on top of statutory.
Fit notes and medical certificates.
What your GP must provide, what your employer can ask for, and where the boundaries sit.
Keeping in touch.
What contact is reasonable while you're off sick, and what crosses the line into pressure or harassment.
Rights during sick leave.
Holiday accrual, pension contributions, private health insurance, and the employment protections that stay in force.
When SSP runs out.
What happens after 28 weeks, what benefits you may be able to claim, and where contractual cover may still apply.
The full table of contents.
What's covered.
- Statutory sick pay. Current rate, qualifying rules, when it stops.
- Contractual sick pay. Reading your contract properly.
- Half pay, full pay, and the unpaid gap.
- Medical certificates and fit notes. GP duties and your rights.
- Keeping-in-touch contact. Reasonable vs harassment.
- Holiday accrual while off sick.
- Pension contributions during sickness.
- Private health insurance (PHI). What it covers.
- Returning to work. Phased returns and adjustments.
- When SSP runs out at 28 weeks.
- ESA and benefits. Bridging the gap.
- When underpayment becomes unlawful deduction.
The honest comparison.
If you're going to spend money getting this right, here's the picture. A solicitor will charge £500 + VAT for an initial consultation. This guide breaks down every entitlement so you can audit your own pay and contact arrangements without one.
Who this is for.
If any of this is where you are right now, this is the guide for you.
- You're currently on long-term sick leave and confused about what you should be paid.
- Your sick pay has been reduced or stopped and you're not sure if that's lawful.
- You're getting messages from work that feel like pressure to return.
- You don't know if holiday is still accruing while you're off.
- You're approaching the 28-week SSP cut-off and you don't know what's next.
- You want to know exactly what you're entitled to before HR tries to take it away.
Get the guide.
One-off purchase, £39. Instant PDF download. The complete sick leave entitlement framework.
Get the guide. £39Common questions.
Is this legal advice for my specific case?
No. This is general educational information for England and Wales. Every situation is different. For complex cases, consider booking a one-off consultation with a qualified employment solicitor.
Will this cover my exact contract?
The guide explains the statutory floor everyone is entitled to and how to read your own contract for any contractual top-up. Every contract is different, but the framework is the same.
How is this delivered?
Instant download as a PDF after purchase. Files won't open? I'll fix it or refund you.
Does this cover Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. England and Wales only. The legal framework, time limits, and statutory references are for England and Wales.
Can I get a refund if I don't find it useful?
Digital guides are non-refundable once downloaded. The full table of contents above shows exactly what's inside. If you have a question before buying, contact info@thesecretlawyer.co.uk.