Coronavirus - Spring Budget 2020 Impact On Small Businesses

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) is declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, the government announced, as part of its Spring 2020 Budget, specific coronavirus related measures in order to try prevent as much disruption to the country's economy as possible by balancing the welfare of employees with the needs of businesses.

One such measure is that the government will reimburse the cost of statutory sick pay (SSP) that businesses with up to 250 employees (as of 28 February 2020) pay to workers who are self-isolating. The refund is capped at 2 weeks per employee, who have to have claimed SSP according to the new eligibility criteria, as a result of COVID-19. Whilst the government recommends that employers maintain records of any staff absences, they have also said employees should not be required to provide a GP fit note.