Millions of low-paid women set to benefit from stronger sick pay rights – TUC

Millions of low-paid women are expected to benefit from stronger workplace rights as changes to sick pay and employment protections come into force, according to analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The union body estimates around 4.7 million women will benefit from reforms to statutory sick pay due to take effect on 6th April under the Employment Rights Act.

More than 830,000 women will become eligible for statutory sick pay for the first time after the removal of the lower earnings limit, currently set at £125 per week.

Women are around twice as likely as men to earn below this threshold and therefore be excluded from sick pay under the existing system.

The analysis also suggests approximately 3.9 million women currently reliant on statutory sick pay will benefit from the introduction of day-one eligibility, removing the existing four-day waiting period before payments begin.

The TUC said the changes will help address longstanding issues affecting low-paid workers, particularly women who are more likely to work in insecure roles.

Further reforms coming into force include day-one rights to paternity leave for fathers and partners, as well as day-one rights to unpaid parental leave for all parents.

The union also highlighted the impact of planned reforms to zero-hours contracts.