Paying sick pay (SSP)

[jclm]

We employ an undergraduate student as a part time nanny. She is in her third year of her degree and I know is struggling to balance her studies and part time job.

She has had some time off and we paid SSP, and she returned to work last month. Now it is likely she will have more time off on SSP. But she will continue her full time studies uninterrupted. Her illness is linked to a lack of energy and headaches.

My question is: are there any problems with a scenario where the part time nanny would continue with her studies full time but is paid SSP (for up to 28 weeks)?

Seems a bit odd that she is fit to study but not work, either she's sick or she's not. Maybe she just took too much. If you had two jobs and were signed off sick for one you would not be able to do the other so I'm not sure what the difference is with studying and working?

Yes you can. There can be circumstances where one job is suitable and not the other. For example, if she'd broken her leg, she wouldn't be able to run after children, but could do a job on check outs at the supermarket (provided she could sit).

You can be signed off one and not the other.

You can though most students in this circumstance would give up the job, it's hard to work and study

Seems a bit odd that she is fit to study but not work, either she's sick or she's not.....If you had two jobs and were signed off sick for one you would not be able to do the other

I love it when people just state their random, baseless opinions with such confidence.

are there any problems with a scenario where the part time nanny would continue with her studies full time but is paid SSP

No, if the terms of the sick note permit her to continue studying then she's fine to do so. Even if she technically shouldn't be studying, it's not really something you can address easily.