Sick pay entitlement for part time workers ????

[Daz1855]

My Mrs has a part time job as a dental nurse, she works 3 days a week and is paid by the hour (not fortunes). She gets proportional 12 days paid holidays per year.

She has been employed by her current practice for 20 months, takes the job very seriously and has never been late or off sick once. In short, a reliable member of staff I would of thought.

She recently ended up in hospital for 3 days and came out on a Sunday with a note for 7 days off. On the Wednesday she considered herself well enough to work so went back. So she had two days off sick, but went back as soon as she could.

Her employers have said that as she is part time the first 3 days sick are not paid, so the two she took off will be unpaid.

Can someone please tell me what she should be entitled to legally in her position. If it is right that she should be unpaid then fair enough, but these people have a habit of shafting people so if isn't right I would like to know what is.

Many thanks for any assistance in advance.

[edc]

Depending on the work pattern and days off this might be right. From your description it is not clear what days she works and when her absence started. Look at the direct.gov site and statutory sick pay.