§ Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what modifications and improvements he intends to make to the employers' statutory sick pay scheme to ensure that it is correctly administered by employers; and what safeguards are planned to prevent the non-payment of sick pay by unscrupulous employers.
§ Mr. Rossi: It is intended that the scheme will impose a statutory liability upon employers to pay sick pay at a minimum level to employees who satisfy the conditions set out in the legislation. Once the provisions become law the Department will issue a detailed guide to all employers and DHSS local offices will be able to advise employees and employers as to their respective rights and liabilities. It is intended that an employee who thinks he has been wrongly refused payment will be able to seek a formal determination of his case by the statutory adjudicating authorities.