Sick Pay- Different to other Employees

Pennythoughts

Hi all,

I recently changed jobs, am very happy here but a few weeks ago I was ill. As my Contract did not provide for Sick Pay I received the Social Welfare Allowances and thought no more about it.

However, this morning my work colleague was talking about how she has up to 3 weeks sick pay allowed for within her contract (as do the two other staff) and I am just wondering is it possible to have different employees on differing policies regarding sick pay?

I don't want to cause a big fuss about it but would like a bit more knowledge on this as it seems unfair that people would be treated differently on this. There is no official "sick policy" in place here except to say please refer to your contract.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Mrs OBumble

Yes, it's quite possible and totally legal.

I'd imagine the others get paid more than you, too.

Ray Palmer

Pretty standard stuff. New employees can be given different terms and in recent times it is more common. Rather than withdraw it for everybody they just stop the benefits on new employees.

Worked in one place and a guy started a week after me and he had to work an extra 30mins each day. He had the same job as me and was also paid less. Felt bad for him but I felt the behaviour was ill advised by the company as he was the only one who had to stay when the team left in the evening. Not a good team spirit there at all.

Pennythoughts

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Yes, it's quite possible and totally legal.

I'd imagine the others get paid more than you, too.

I'm paid more than one of the my colleagues but that is on the basis of our qualifications. It is interesting about the sick pay difference but I accept that I signed up for the terms per my own contract not others.

I might just mention it at the yearly review to see if it might be included as a "bonus" part of my package. I don't intend to start taking sick days but would be comforting to know that if I was out for a few days the bills would still get paid.

RayPalmer, that would be terrible to be stuck in the office and everyone else gone home. My self esteem would be floored as I would just feel very undervalued- even though I know he signed up for it but when its only one employee it almost feels like discrimination...albeit a legal form of it

bbam

Pennythoughts wrote: »

I'm paid more than one of the my colleagues but that is on the basis of our qualifications. It is interesting about the sick pay difference but I accept that I signed up for the terms per my own contract not others.

I might just mention it at the yearly review to see if it might be included as a "bonus" part of my package. I don't intend to start taking sick days but would be comforting to know that if I was out for a few days the bills would still get paid.

RayPalmer, that would be terrible to be stuck in the office and everyone else gone home. My self esteem would be floored as I would just feel very undervalued- even though I know he signed up for it but when its only one employee it almost feels like discrimination...albeit a legal form of it

I'd think it odd if you started asking for paid sick days as a "bonus".. If you want to approach the situation, maybe ask is it something that is included after a particular period of service.