Occupational Sick Pay UK 2026/27

Common OSP patterns

Pattern 1 — Standard corporate: - Full pay: weeks 1-4 - Half pay: weeks 5-8 - SSP only: weeks 9-28

Pattern 2 — Enhanced (senior + public sector): - Full pay: 6 months - Half pay: 6 months - SSP only after 12 months

Pattern 3 — Service-tenured: - < 1 year: SSP only - 1-2 years: 4 weeks full pay - 2-5 years: 8 weeks full pay - 5-10 years: 13 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half - 10+ years: 26 weeks full + 26 weeks half

Pattern 4 — Discretionary: - No contractual entitlement - Employer decides case-by-case

How OSP interacts with SSP

• SSP is the statutory minimum
• OSP is inclusive of SSP (employer tops up)
• If OSP > SSP, only OSP paid (no additional SSP)
• If OSP ends (weeks 5+), SSP takes over

Discretionary vs contractual

Check contract: - Contractual OSP: legally binding; employer must pay - Discretionary OSP: employer chooses whether to pay - Custom + practice: repeated payments may create implied term

OSP + return-to-work

Return-to-work interviews common. Reasonable adjustments may be required if disability under Equality Act 2010.

Small business considerations

Smaller employers less likely to offer OSP. SSP only common in: - Retail - Hospitality - Small consultancy - Zero-hour workers

OSP + long-term sickness

After OSP ends, employer may: - Continue employment on SSP-only (up to 28 weeks) - Consider capability dismissal (with proper process) - Refer to occupational health

In short

OSP = enhanced employer sick pay above £116.75 SSP. Check contract for schedule + service tenure.