SSP & Covid 19

HMRC have advised that if you need to take time off work to self-isolate due to Covid 19, the first 3 waiting days that normally apply for SSP will be disregarded and you will be entitled to receive SSP from the first day.

As this is a unique case and 19-20 BrightPay is programmed to take into account the usual 3 waiting days, an override should be performed in BrightPay by simply marking the previous 3 days on the employee's calendar as sick leave. The SSP to be applied will then be from their first actual day of self-isolation/sick leave.

Please note: 20-21 BrightPay will be programmed to automate Covid-19 related SSP and as a result this override will not be necessary.  

Entering Statutory Sick Pay in BrightPay

 
To access this utility, simply click 'Payroll' and select the employee’s name on the left:

 
1 Under Statutory Pay, click Calendar

2 On the Calendar, select the date range the employee is out sick

3 Click Sick Leave at the top right of the screen -  the number of Qualifying Days, Waiting Days & SSP days will be displayed on the screen.

4 Close the Calendar and the program will automatically apply any SSP due to the employee.
 

Overriding the 'Average Weekly Earnings' Calculation

If existing payment records have not been recorded in BrightPay or there is insufficient historical payroll data to determine the employee's AWE, the automatic calculation performed by the program after completing the above may be inaccurate or not possible. You may override the AWE by doing the following:

1 On the main Payroll screen, click the Edit icon in the employee’s Statutory Payments section

2 In Sick Leave, select the option ‘Override average weekly earnings calculation’

3  The program will now automatically calculate SSP

There is a range of support in place for those who do not receive Statutory Sick Pay, including Universal Credit and contributory Employment and Support Allowance. The move will be included in emergency legislation to deal with Coronavirus.