Good news for employees who were forced to take time off work due to illness:
Update #4 – 2011 of the sick pay law, effective April 1, 2011 incurs a change in the rates paid:
1st day – no pay (no change)
2nd + 3rd days – 50% of regular pay (up from 37.5%)
4th day onwards – 100% of regular pay (up from 75%)
In addition, employees who work a 5 day week – 21 2/3 days will be considered a full month (entitling employee to 1.5 sick days credit). If an employee did not work a full month the credit will be prorated accordingly. (This is a change from previously 25 days = a full month)
Notes:
- The employee can request a doctor’s note for any illness.
- The sick days need to be continuous, otherwise the count starts anew.
- There is no buyout or redemption of unused sick days by law. This is accepted practice only in the public sector.
- Sick day accrual, credit and debit as well as opening and closing balances for the pay period need to be itemized on the payslip.
