In what circumstances can employees claim statutory sick pay?

Employees are entitled to statutory sick pay if they:

• have worked for the employer under a contract of employment;
• have earned not less than the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions for the eight weeks prior to becoming sick;
• have not been in receipt of certain state benefits within a specified time period;
• are incapable of doing their work for four or more consecutive days, a "period of incapacity for work"; and
• show their employer evidence that they are sick, if such evidence is required by the employer.

Entitlement lasts for up to 28 weeks per period of incapacity for work.