The retail workers’ union has as a result reiterated its long-standing call for reform of the statutory sick pay (SSP) system in the UK.
The survey of more than 7,500 members, most of them low-paid retail workers, found 76% said they could not afford to take sick leave. This rose to almost all – nine in 10 – of those on in-work benefits.
The main reason given for being unable to take time off sick was the impact of the cost-of-living crisis combined with the fact that SSP is so low, at currently just £99.35 a week, albeit rising to £109.40 a week from April next year.
