Boss wants me to give up a day of holiday to compensate for a sick day.

[DaisyBug]

AIBU to refuse?

I have taken only ONE sick day the entire year that I have worked for her FFS when the UK average is apparently 10. Still she reckons this is too many and that I now 'owe' her a day.

I'd actually prefer to just not be paid for it but that wouldn't be right either.

[greenfolder]

So really she is giving you the option of swapping a day of unpaid sick for annual leave? When was this day and have you already been paid for it? If you have I would argue that she has already sorted it by paying you, thank you and that by law she has to ensure that you take the statutory minimum holidays by law.

[ChairmanWow]

Unfortunately it sounds like there is no entitlement to anything other than SSP after 3 days so she is within her rights. She sounds like a very shoddy employer. Many small employers buy in HR services and she should be doing this if she's not even capable of putting a decent contract together.

I'd suggest getting a copy of your contract and joining a union who can advise you, or going to ACAS or Citizens Advice to see what other elements are missing. Most unions give free legal advice/representation which might be the protection you need with such a dodgy employer.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

I would make a list of all the hours extra you have put in, and email it to her as proof that you have more than made up for the time off.

[greenfolder]

lots of small and large employers do not offer sick pay- those that have it often forget that. its a bit rubbish but pretty much par for the course.

[fascicle]

DaisyBug:
Yes, there is a contract but only a vague, crappy, amateur one written by her which skates over sick pay and just says that SSP is paid after 3 days...

So there's nothing in the contract to support her request/demand. I'd be a bit concerned about her overall approach, and whether it might cause bigger issues in the future.