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- Date:
- 29 May 2026
- Type:
- News
The Government has pledged to overhaul the "broken" fit note system, beginning with pilots in four different areas. Through the pilots, patients will be offered either an initial fit note from a GP and then referred to community health workers, or the option to be supported by a separate service staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners.
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- Type:
- Employment law guide
The Government has published the results of its Call for Evidence on fit note reform. HR should be alert to the progress of pilots that are looking at potential next steps for reform.
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- Type:
- How to
Updated with data from the Brightmine Sickness absence rates and management research 2026 detailing what metrics organisations use to measure absence.
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- Date:
- 23 April 2026
- Type:
- Commentary and insights
Return to work meetings are central to absence management, but they're not the only tool employers rely on. Drawing on insights from HR professionals at the Brightmine sick pay and absence webinar, we explore the practical tools organisations use to manage absence effectively, and why both consistency and flexibility matter.
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- Date:
- 23 April 2026
- Type:
- Survey analysis
Sickness absence is a key workforce metric, providing insight into employee health, organisational pressures and the effectiveness of absence management practices. We present the latest data on absence rates and underlying drivers, alongside insight into absence management practices and employer responses to statutory sick pay reform.
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- Type:
- FAQs
To be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), an employee must have performed some work for the employer under their employment contract ...
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- Type:
- FAQs
From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the three-day waiting period and minimum earnings requirement for eligibility for SSP. This simplifies the administration of SSP during a phased return to work.
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- Type:
- FAQs
Eligibility for SSP is extended to more employees from 6 April 2026, as the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the three-day waiting period and the minimum earnings requirement.
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- Type:
- How to
From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the three-day waiting period for eligibility for SSP. Employers no longer need to consider whether waiting days apply where the employee has intermittent pregnancy-related absence.
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- Type:
- How to
From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 removes the three-day waiting period and minimum earnings requirement for eligibility for SSP. This simplifies the administration of SSP during a phased return to work.
