25,456

of 50,000 signatures

To Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions and Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health

The Problem: Nearly 2 million UK workers can't get sick pay because they don't earn enough. Even those who get sick pay find it too low at £109.40 a week, starting only from the 4th day of illness, meaning workers often can't afford to take time off and may face punishment for being sick.

Workers should not have to face the tough choice between health and earning enough to live.

The current sick pay system jeopardises the health of all working people and puts added strain on the NHS. 87% of Organise members admitted going into work while sick and 84% of us have got a cold or other illness while at work. Increasing numbers of workers being sick is not only bad for the economy but damaging to workers' short term recovery and long term health and wellbeing. Many workers simply cannot afford to take time off work and in some cases face disciplinary action when they are off sick.

Open letter text

Dear Liz Kendall,

New data has shown that over 98% of us could not pay our bills or cover our living costs on only £109.40 a week. This issue cannot be ignored any longer.

Workers desperately need a change to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) legislation so that:
👉🏽 Everyone is eligible for sick pay - by removing the earnings threshold
👉🏽People receive sick pay from day 1 rather than day 4, and
👉🏽Workers can afford to take the time off, by increasing SSP so that it is in line
with a worker’s wages.

Fixing sick pay would create more flexibility for employers, and prevent those in low-paid and precarious work from being forced out entirely.

With the cost-of-living crisis, our flawed sick pay system is putting millions at risk. We urge you to pass new laws to make sick pay better for everyone. This will create a safer, healthier work environment and support workers in need.

Notes:
Organise survey: Safe sick pay survey https://the.organise.network/surveys/safe-sick-pay-survey

Sign the open letter

Signers list

Gary Grace
Tim Joseph
Panayiotis Panayiotou
Muhammad Rafiq
Ruth Wortley
Matthew Wade
R C P Wells
Justyna Zapotoczny
Katie Sheard
Izabela Hopkins
Abu Zayed
Ceiteag Sinclair
Susie Drew
Debbie Barrett
Paul Ashley Singer
Darren Fogarty
Gary Briggs
Jasmine Christie
Lauryn Breslan-Smith
Tracey Jones
Anne Fern
Martin Young
Barry Mizen
Phil Duthie
Tim Halpin
Samia Begum
Mrs Mccarthy
Rosie Flahavan
Barnett Michael
Martin Kingwell
Akbal Kair
Alison Stone
Kirstine Mcdaniel
Vicki Lee
Alison Haslam
Suzie Mitchell
Gary Bennetts
Beata Rusiecka
Michaela Marden
Kirankumar Shah
Alison Killeen
Bicksender Sangha
Chris Burns
Linda Oliver
Mr Martin Horan
Barry Cooksley
Andrulla Scott
Aisling Frazer
Gary Fletcher
Amanda Frew

Safe sick pay for workers now!

Next step - spread the word

You're signing this as

Not you? Click here

Safe sick pay for workers now!

Will you chip in?

I'm chipping in £0

Secure lock symbol

Your donation is

One off Monthly

Choose your contribution amount

£200

Thanks, we just need a few more details to set up your direct debit.

Change your contribution amount

First name
Last name
Your email
Address (line 1)
Town
Your postcode
Account name
Account number
Sort code
Thank you for your donation. Please hold on while we process your details securely.