Sick leave

Conference is aware of the provisions contained within the Grey Book (Section 5, Part B, paragraphs 10-12) in relation to sick leave.

The provisions state that an employee on authorised sick leave shall be entitled to full pay for six months in any twelve-month period and that if the employee is on authorised sick leave as a result of an illness or injury arising out of authorised duty that they shall be entitled to full pay for twelve months. In both instances full pay is reduced to half pay for six-months upon the expiration of the full pay period.

Conference acknowledges the Grey Book provision that allows Fire and Rescue Authorities to exercise discretion and extend the period of sick pay in exceptional cases.

Conference notes that the roll-out of Universal Credit across the UK is more advanced in some geographical areas than others and that Universal Credit is gradually replacing income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as the main benefit to claim if you can’t work because of sickness or disability. Most people who would have qualified for ESA now have to claim the limited capability for work and work-related activity element of Universal Credit.

This benefit, paid under Universal Credit, has proven to be substantially less than that paid under the previous ESA resulting in increased financial hardship to those on half pay sick leave.

Conference instructs the Executive Council to raise this matter, as a priority, with the NJC.

Conference further instructs the Executive Council to secure improvements to the Grey Book sick leave provisions to make sure no FBU Member suffers increased financial hardship as a result of Universal Credit replacing ESA.