Statutory Sick Pay Changes 2026: What Aesthetic Clinics Need to Know

Summer is always one of the busiest times for managing staffing challenges. Annual leave, increased sickness absence and stretched teams can put pressure on even the most organised aesthetic clinics. This year, employers also need to navigate significant changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025. Here's what has changed, what it means for your clinic and where you can access free expert guidance.

Summer brings staffing challenges for every clinic

For many aesthetic businesses, summer can create the perfect storm.

Staff take well-earned holidays, sickness absence often increases, and remaining team members are left covering additional responsibilities. Whether you're running a single clinic or managing multiple locations, maintaining patient care while ensuring compliance with employment legislation can be challenging.

This year, there is an additional consideration for employers.

From April 2026, significant reforms to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) came into force under the Employment Rights Act 2025, introducing the biggest changes to sick pay entitlement in years.

If you employ receptionists, clinic coordinators, therapists, nurses or any other members of staff, now is the time to ensure your policies, payroll processes and managers are up to speed.

What's changed?

The new legislation introduces three major reforms that employers need to understand.

Statutory Sick Pay is now payable from day one

Previously, employees only became eligible for Statutory Sick Pay after a waiting period.

From April 2026, SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, meaning businesses may experience increased absence costs and will need to review how sickness is managed across the organisation.

The Lower Earnings Limit has been removed

Previously, employees had to earn above the Lower Earnings Limit to qualify for SSP.

Under the new rules, this threshold has been removed, meaning many lower-paid employees who were previously ineligible may now qualify for Statutory Sick Pay.

For clinics employing part-time staff or flexible workers, this change could affect a larger proportion of the workforce than previously.

New calculation rules for lower earners

The reforms also introduce updated calculation methods for employees on lower incomes.

Payroll teams and employers should familiarise themselves with these changes to ensure Statutory Sick Pay is calculated correctly and remains compliant with the latest legislation.

What could this mean for aesthetic clinics?

For clinic owners and managers, these changes go beyond payroll.

They could have an impact on:

• Staff absence costs
• Payroll administration
• HR policies and procedures
• Manager training
• Day-to-day absence management
• Business planning during busy periods

Reviewing your sickness absence procedures now can help minimise disruption and reduce the risk of compliance issues later.

Free guide: Understanding the April 2026 reforms

To help businesses prepare, ConsultingRoom partner Citation has produced a free practical guide:

Statutory Sick Pay Changes: Your Guide to the April 2026 Reforms

The guide explains:

• The three key changes to Statutory Sick Pay
• How the removal of waiting days affects absence costs
• The new calculation rules for lower-paid employees
• Practical steps employers can take to prepare managers and their business

Whether you're updating your clinic's HR policies or simply want to understand how the legislation affects your team, the guide provides a useful overview of the reforms.

Download the free guide here:

https://tinyurl.com/mt786m7k

Watch the free webinar

If you'd like a more detailed explanation of the new legislation, Citation has also produced a free on-demand webinar:

Employment Rights Act 2025: Managing sickness and navigating the new SSP rules

The webinar covers:

• The wider Employment Rights Act reforms
• Practical absence management advice
• Managing sickness confidently
• Preparing your business for the new rules

Watch the webinar here:

https://tinyurl.com/mr2p4anv

Expert HR support for aesthetic businesses

Employment legislation continues to evolve, making it increasingly important for clinic owners to have access to reliable HR and employment law advice.

Citation supports thousands of UK businesses with HR, employment law and health and safety, helping employers remain compliant while reducing administrative burden and business risk.

As a ConsultingRoom partner, Citation offers preferential rates to our members.

To find out more, call 0345 844 1111 and remember to mention Consulting Room when enquiring.

Managing sickness absence is part of running any successful clinic, but the latest Statutory Sick Pay reforms mean employers need to be more prepared than ever.

By understanding the new rules, reviewing your policies and ensuring your payroll processes are up to date, you can protect your business while continuing to support your employees effectively.

If you haven't already done so, download Citation's free guide and webinar to make sure your clinic is ready for the changes.

Download the free guide:
https://tinyurl.com/mt786m7k

Watch the free webinar:
https://tinyurl.com/mr2p4anv