At the age of 23, I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that came as a shock to me. The treatment required was five weeks of radiotherapy at a specialized facility for young patients, necessitating a daily 40-mile journey to the hospital. Given the demanding treatment schedule along with the time spent commuting, parking, and waiting at the hospital, it became unfeasible for me to continue working at my previous job in a prominent supermarket chain, leading to an extended leave of absence.
During this challenging period, the inadequacy of sick pay provisions in the UK became evident. Following just a two-week period of paid sick leave from my employer, I transitioned to statutory sick pay (SSP) for several months, amounting to less than £3 per hour for a full-time employee like myself. Fortunately, with the support of my partner, family, and friends, as well as organizations like Young Lives vs Cancer, I was able to navigate through this difficult time.
Sadly, many others I have encountered through the Safe Sick Pay campaign have faced even harsher circumstances, with some individuals receiving no sick pay at all during their treatment. The repercussions of insufficient sick pay extend beyond cancer patients to individuals requiring time off for minor ailments, especially affecting shift workers who risk losing a significant portion of their income due to delayed payment protocols.
The recent revelation that certain members of the House of Lords are obstructing the implementation of day one sick pay rights through the Employment Rights Bill is disheartening. Denying day one sick pay rights and neglecting support for low-income earners is unjust. These proposed reforms do not impose unrealistic demands on employers but simply advocate for the basic provision of support to enable individuals to recuperate and return to work safely.
In contrast to the UK, where such support is lacking, many other regions worldwide, including most European countries, already prioritize adequate sick pay for their workforce. Therefore, I join my fellow affected workers in urging the House of Lords to pass the bill promptly, ushering in essential changes towards a fairer sick pay system benefiting millions of individuals.