UK amongst worst in Europe for sick pay

Staff in the UK have the worst pay for time off sick across Europe, new research has shown.

The report, compiled by vouchercloud, found that the amount of mandatory sick pay available to workers in the UK for a week of sick leave totals just £35.96 - and nothing at all in Ireland.

Through a combination of low sick pay and ‘waiting days’ - a period at the beginning of sick leave where nothing is paid - Britain and Ireland lag far behind the rest of Europe.

Conversely, employees in Norway and Luxembourg could receive £600 for just one week of sick leave. Staff here, however, must make do with a basic minimum payment - £88.45 and £71.82 (€84.50) per week - leaving those without a workplace sick pay scheme with a major financial shortfall.