NHS staff terms and conditions: FOI release

Information requested

When NHS staff are absent from work on sick leave under "Scale of Allowances" Section 14.4 of the policy it states -

"Sick pay is calculated on the basis of what the individual would have received had he/she been at work. This would be based on the previous three months at work or any other reference period that may be locally agreed."

Are periods of previous annual leave or sickness absence included within the three month reference period?

Response

The specific methodology of how full pay is calculated is set locally in partnership. But both Annual Leave and Sick Pay are “paid as if at work” in Scotland so sick pay needs to be consistent with that principle.

Sick pay would, however, reduce based on a staff members reckonable services in the NHS, as per paragraph 14.2 and 14.6 of the Scottish Agenda for Change Handbook https://www.msg.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/AfC-Handbook-Master-Scottish-Copy-2021- Revamp.pdf

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.