When I was 23, I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.
The news came as a shock, necessitating a five-week radiotherapy regimen at a specialized youth center located 40 miles away from my home for daily treatment.
The treatment’s demanding side effects and the time-consuming hospital visits made it impossible for me to continue my employment at a major retail chain, compelling me to take an extended leave of absence.
During this challenging period, the inadequate sick pay benefits in the UK, with only two weeks of paid leave from my employer followed by statutory sick pay (SSP) at a rate equivalent to less than £3 per hour, placed a significant financial strain on me.
Thankfully, I received support from my partner, family, friends, and organizations like Young Lives vs Cancer during this difficult time.
Through the Safe Sick Pay campaign, I learned about many individuals who did not receive any sick pay while undergoing treatment, exacerbating their financial struggles.
The lack of adequate sick pay also negatively impacts those needing time off for minor illnesses, especially affecting shift workers who face substantial income loss due to delayed payment policies.
It is disheartening to hear that some members of the House of Lords are opposing the inclusion of day one sick pay rights in the Employment Rights Bill.
Blocking immediate sick pay rights and support for low-income earners is unjust. These reforms simply aim to ensure that employers provide basic support for individuals to recuperate and return to work safely.
In many parts of the world, such support is already a standard practice, including in most European countries.
As a collective voice with others impacted by insufficient sick pay, I urge the House of Lords to pass the bill and implement these crucial steps towards establishing a fairer sick pay system for millions of individuals.
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