My friend is critically ill in hospital, even if he recovers, it will a long slow road.
Has been with the company 6 months. Has been told he will be paid up until next month, after that it will be SSP.
Is this standard practise? can anything be done to help the situation?
2006-11-01 08:08:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It sounds normal for an average UK company to do that. Some will have policies in place to provide additional income but this is unlikely to kick in after just 6 months.
2006-11-01 08:20:42 · answer #1 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that's the company policy, it may or may not be legal to fire an employee for being sick. If it is legal, it definitely sucks. But in all fairness, from the standpoint of the company, they can't afford to keep an employee on the payroll, who technically "isn't there". Even if they don't pay him, they are keeping his job open and vacant, whereas another worker could take his place. So I guess it cuts both ways. It's unfortunate about your friend, but six months doesn't give him enough seniority to expect his employer to keep him on the staff. He hasn't earned enough time to be paid sick leave for the entire period he will be unable to work. Perhaps he would be eligible for some kind of public assistance to tide him over until he is well enough to go back to working. His company group insurance, if any, will also terminate, so he could also request temporary medical assistance, or be eligible for some kind of disability funds from SSI or SSA. He or a spokesman should check with the various Government and/or social services family agencies, especially if he has dependents.
2006-11-01 16:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He may have some rights. Typically laws such as FMLA only apply when you've been with a company at least a year. You also have other contractual matters you would want to look at. I think it would be hard for a company to terminate the employment based on his being sick and needing to be in the hospital due to the potential to also bring a discrimination case - this is where I would go. You really need your friend to talk to an attorney.
2006-11-01 16:47:00 · answer #3 · answered by straightup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so very sorry to hear about your friend.
It all depends on his terms and conditions of employment - his contract with his firm. I'm very much afraid that he's not legally entitled to anything more than what is set down in that.
Has he got critical illness cover to claim against?
Sorry I can't help.
Take care and best wishes.
2006-11-01 16:14:23 · answer #4 · answered by Hilary Y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, pull the plug lmao
2006-11-01 16:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
what jurisdiction are you in? Does he have any sort of contract with this company?
2006-11-01 16:13:53 · answer #6 · answered by Christopher Scott 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋