ERA Readiness Series: day one SSP and absence management скачать в хорошем качестве

ERA Readiness Series: day one SSP and absence management

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 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 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 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.