I received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, when I was 23 years old.

This news came as a shock to me. To undergo five weeks of radiotherapy treatment at a specialized youth center, I had to make a 40-mile daily journey to the hospital for my therapy sessions.

The treatment’s draining side effects and the time spent commuting, parking, and waiting at the hospital made it impossible for me to continue working at my previous job with a major retail chain, forcing me to take an extended leave of absence.

During such challenging times, one hopes for strong support from their employer. However, like many others, I was let down by the inadequate sick pay protections in the UK.

Initially, I received only two weeks of paid sick leave from my employer, followed by statutory sick pay (SSP) for several months, amounting to less than £3 per hour for a full-time employee like myself.

It was a challenging period, but fortunately, I received support from my partner, family, friends, and organizations like Young Lives vs Cancer.

Through the Safe Sick Pay campaign, I have encountered individuals who did not receive any sick pay during their treatment, highlighting the serious shortcomings in the current system.

Insufficient sick pay also affects individuals requiring time off for minor illnesses. For workers with rotating shifts, delayed payment from the fourth day of illness can equate to a significant loss of income.

I was dismayed to learn that some members of the House of Lords are opposing the implementation of day one sick pay rights proposed in the Employment Rights Bill.

Denying day one sick pay rights and assistance for low-income earners is unjust. These reforms do not demand the impossible from employers but rather ask for basic support to enable individuals to recuperate and return to work safely.

In numerous other regions worldwide, such support mechanisms are already standard practice, emphasizing the need for progress in the UK.

Together with other affected workers, I urge the House of Lords to prioritize the passage of the bill, instating crucial changes towards a fairer sick pay system for millions of individuals.

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