67% of employers say they needed more notice for SSP changes – GRiD

67% of employers said they needed more notice before changes to statutory sick pay (SSP), according to the latest research from GRiD.

Despite this, 60% of employees supported the move to pay SSP from the first day of illness, remove the lower earnings limit, and introduce a new earnings-related calculation.

The research also found 18% of employers believed the changes would be a significant challenge for their business in the next 12 months, rising to 24% for large employers with over 250 staff. 

Among those who said the changes would be difficult for their business, 47% planned to reduce the generosity of other employee benefits, 42% would increase prices, 36% would look to cut employment costs such as headcount, and 31% might reduce employer pension contributions.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “The new statutory sick pay changes, part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, are well-intended and rightly seek to strengthen support for employees during periods of illness or injury. 

“The Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, left employers with only around four months to overhaul payroll systems and update policies ahead of the April 2026 deadline. 

“These are not insignificant operational challenges for businesses to absorb at a time when they are already contending with rising costs and sustained economic pressures.”

Moxham added: “Indeed, the research has found that some businesses are not prepared to simply absorb the cost and will be looking to make cuts in other areas.