The changes introduced within the Bill will mean that for some lower earners – including those earning below the Lower Earnings Limit, their rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be calculated as a percentage of their earnings, instead of the flat weekly rate.

Employees will no doubt welcome the removal of the lower earnings limit – which according to the TUC means 1.3 million people miss out on SSP. However, there is no current indication on whether legislation would increase the current rate of £116.75 per week, which the TUC state is just 18% of average weekly earnings.

Some argue that if, under the Employment Rights Bill, employees no longer need to wait for SSP to start, they may be more likely to take short-term sick leave. Other schools of thought are that it would encourage employers to take a more proactive approach to managing sickness absence.

Watch this space for more as the consultation unfolds…