Common Elements Used to Define Absence Rules

SSP (statutory sick pay)

The minimum level of sick pay that you must pay to most employees who are absent from work due to sickness for four or more calendar days in a row.

SMP (statutory maternity pay)

The minimum level of maternity pay to most employees who are absent from work to have a baby.

SMP is a weekly payment, and the payment is made in multiples of weeks, regardless of the frequency with which the employee is usually paid. SMP is sometimes paid in a lump sum at the start of the maternity leave period. SMP applies to whole weeks starting on a Sunday through to Saturday. If the employee is ineligible for even one day during a week, then no payment is made for that week.

SAP (statutory adoption pay)

The minimum level of adoption pay that you must pay to employees who are absent from work after adopting a child.

SPP (statutory paternity pay)

The minimum level of paternity pay that you must pay to employees. There are two types of paternity pay:

SPP (birth) is paid to employees who are absent from work to care for a baby or support the mother in the first few weeks after the birth.

SPP (adoption) is paid to employees who are jointly adopting a child with their partner, or whose partners are adopting a child.

EWC (expected week of childbirth)

The week when an employee's baby is due. This date is always the Sunday of the week in which the baby is due.

MW (matching week)

The week when an employee is notified by the adoption agency that he or she is matched with a child.

QW (qualifying week)

The fifteenth week before the EWC.

PIW (period of incapacity for work)

To qualify for SSP, an employee must be absent due to sickness for four consecutive calendar days or more.

APP (adoption pay period)

The period during which SAP can be paid. The APP can start on the date that the child is placed or up to two weeks prior to the expected placement date.

MPP (maternity pay period)

The period during which SMP can be paid. The MPP can start between the eleventh week before the EWC and the Sunday following the birth. The start of the MPP is affected if the employee is absent with a pregnancy-related illness during the four-week period before the EWC or if the child is born early.

PPP (paternity pay period)

The period during which SPP can be paid. PPP can start only after the birth of the child or after the child is placed with the adopter.

OSP (occupational sick pay)

Employers can opt out of paying SSP and provide employees with sick pay, which is at least equal to the statutory sick pay entitlement.

OMP (occupational maternity pay)

Employers can opt out of paying SMP and provide employees with occupational maternity pay, which is at least equal to the statutory maternity pay entitlement.