UK Recruitment Glossary
Statutory Sick Pay
In recruiter context
Eligible from day 4 of illness (the first 3 days are 'waiting days' and unpaid unless your contract is more generous). To qualify you must earn above the Lower Earnings Limit (£123/week) and be classed as an employee, not self-employed. Many employers offer enhanced sick pay schemes — often full pay for 4-12 weeks, then half pay, then SSP. Check your contract before assuming. SSP isn't enough to live on and isn't designed to be — for serious illness, you may need to look into Universal Credit, ESA, or income protection insurance if you have it. Reform is ongoing — expect the rate and waiting days to change.
Related terms
ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
Software that hiring teams use to receive, store, filter, and rank job applications.
Contractor
A self-employed worker engaged on a day rate, usually for a fixed project or fixed term.
Take-Home Assignment
A timeboxed work sample completed in your own time and submitted before the next interview round.
Umbrella Company
A UK payroll intermediary that employs contractors on behalf of an end-client.