Employer wrongly denied statutory sick pay after disciplinary sanction.

The Complainant outlined how the Respondent’s Absence Management Policy triggered disciplinary procedures after repeated sick leave, including certified absences due to Covid-19 and a work-related injury. She described attending investigation and disciplinary meetings where she was questioned about her illnesses, ultimately receiving a verbal warning and loss of sick pay. She appealed, citing the Sick Leave Act 2022, but her appeal was rejected. She reported significant mental and emotional distress throughout the process, claiming it created a culture of fear around taking sick leave. After further illnesses and personal bereavement, she resigned in June 2024 due to mental health concerns linked to the disciplinary procedures. The Adjudicator clarified the