At the age of 23, I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, which came as a significant shock. To undergo five weeks of radiotherapy treatment at a specialized center for young individuals, I had to commute 40 miles daily to the hospital for my sessions.
The treatment’s taxing side effects, coupled with the time spent commuting, parking, and waiting at the hospital, made it impossible for me to sustain my job at a prominent supermarket chain. Consequently, I required an extended leave of absence.
During this challenging period, I hoped for the support of a compassionate employer. Regrettably, the insufficient sick pay coverage in the UK left me and many others in a vulnerable position. Initially, I received only two weeks of paid sick leave from my employer, followed by statutory sick pay (SSP) for several months, which amounted to less than £3 per hour for a full-time employee like myself.
The situation was incredibly tough. Fortunately, my partner, family, and friends provided unwavering support, and I also received assistance from charitable organizations such as Young Lives vs Cancer.
Through my interactions with individuals impacted by the inadequate sick pay system, especially through the Safe Sick Pay campaign, I learned that many faced even more dire circumstances. Some individuals did not receive any sick pay while undergoing treatment.
Insufficient sick pay not only affects those battling serious illnesses like cancer but also impacts individuals requiring time off for minor ailments. For individuals on rotating shifts, missing pay from the fourth day of illness can result in a substantial loss of income.
I was disheartened to discover that certain members of the House of Lords are attempting to obstruct the implementation of day one sick pay rights through the Employment Rights Bill.
Opposing the introduction of day one sick pay rights and neglecting to support the lowest earners is fundamentally unjust. These reforms do not demand the impossible from employers; they simply require them to provide the minimum support necessary for individuals to recuperate and return to work safely.
In numerous other regions worldwide, including most of Europe, such support is already a standard provision.
Therefore, I, along with other workers impacted by inadequate sick pay, urge the House of Lords to act in the best interest of millions by passing the bill and initiating crucial steps toward establishing a more robust sick pay system.