From April 2026, SSP becomes a day one right, with the removal of waiting days and the Lower Earnings Limit. That widens eligibility and is likely to increase the volume of short-term absence HR teams need to manage, particularly in service and entry-level roles.
At the same time, absence trends are already putting pressure on employers. Average sickness absence has increased, and short-term absence is still largely driven by minor illness. Poor mental health remains a major factor too, showing up across both long and short-term absence. For many businesses, that’s exposing gaps in manager confidence and how consistently cases are handled.
In this Smart Talk, we’ll look at what day one SSP means in practice, how it interacts with existing absence frameworks and where employers are most likely to see pressure points emerge. We’ll also explore the knock-on impact for occupational sick pay schemes, the risk of inconsistent handling and the role managers play in preventing absence from becoming cyclical.
This session will be led by Laura Sheldon, Senior Manager of Employment Law, and is ideal for HR leaders and managers who want to understand the practical and cost implications of day one SSP, and reduce the risk of inconsistent or ineffective absence management.
About this series
Moorepay’s Smart Talks presents…
The ERA Readiness Series
Come along to our free three-part training series designed to help HR teams get to grips with the most significant Employment Rights Act changes before they go live.
With day one rights, SSP reform, and tougher compliance expectations right around the corner, it’s no surprise many employers are feeling the pressure. This series is built to cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters in practice.
Across three linked Smart Talks we’ll take you from understanding the changes, to working through the areas of highest operational impact to sense-checking whether your policies and processes are truly ready for the April reforms. By the end of the series, you’ll have a clear view of what needs to change, where the biggest risks lie and how to apply the reforms confidently in real-world situations.
Want to get ERA-ready?
