‘Happy New Year’ for Irish workers as new sick pay laws set to come Into effect

Workers in Ireland are set to receive new sick pay entitlements in the New Year.

Irish compliance with other European nations is the goal of the plan. All employees will receive 3 days of paid sick time starting in 2023 under the phased four-year implementation of the program.

Then, in 2024, it will be five days, followed by seven days in 2025, and finally, ten days by 2026. Up to a daily maximum of €110, sick pay will equal 70% of an employee’s salary.

The legislation is primarily intended to help low-paid workers who are not eligible for a company sick payment scheme. The Sick Leave Bill was passed into law after being approved by Cabinet in March, but it won’t go into effect until the new year.

Currently, about half of Ireland’s workforce is paid for sick days, with workers in the private sector particularly affected by the prior lack of legislation.

Since many businesses are currently struggling with the cost of living crisis, the scheme is being implemented gradually to help employers adjust to the changes.

Leo Varadkar previously said of the legislation back in March: “We’ve done a lot of consultation on this, with representatives from both the employee and employer side, and although I know some will think it goes too far and others that it doesn’t go far enough, I think it has struck a fair and reasonable balance.”

To receive statutory sick pay, employees must present a medical certificate, and the benefit is only available to those who have worked at their current job for more than 13 weeks.

Employees who require additional time off after their sick pay entitlement expires may be eligible for illness benefits from the Department of Social Protection, but only if they have paid PRSI contributions.

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