Accountants Sick Pay (Hourly) Calculator FAQ
Answers to common questions about entering hourly sick pay details, understanding results, and the limits of a contractual sick pay estimate.
This FAQ explains what the calculator estimates, how its inputs work, and why payroll records, employment terms, and applicable rules may still need separate checks.
Using the calculator
Questions about the information needed for an hourly sick pay estimate.
What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates gross contractual sick pay using an hourly rate, total sick hours, unpaid sick hours, and a paid sick leave percentage.
What hourly rate should I enter?
Use the employee's normal gross hourly rate for the relevant hours, before deductions.
Should sick hours include only rostered hours?
Enter scheduled working hours missed because of sickness for the relevant pay period.
Can I enter fractional hours?
Yes. Use the applicable fraction, such as 3.5 hours, where payroll records support it.
Understanding the calculation
Questions about eligible hours, percentages, and comparison values.
How does the calculator treat unpaid sick hours?
It subtracts unpaid sick hours from total sick hours before calculating paid sick leave.
What does the sick pay percentage mean?
It is the proportion of normal pay due for eligible sick hours, such as 100% for full pay or 50% for half pay.
What is the difference from normal pay?
It is the positive difference between normal gross pay for all entered sick hours and the estimated sick pay.
Why are eligible sick hours never negative?
The formula uses zero as the minimum so that unpaid hours greater than total sick hours do not create a negative pay amount.
Gross pay and deductions
Questions about what is and is not included in the displayed amount.
Is the result gross or net sick pay?
The result is gross sick pay before tax, payroll deductions, pension contributions, and other adjustments.
Does the calculator calculate tax or social contributions?
No. It does not calculate deductions or take-home pay.
Does it include overtime, shift premiums, or bonuses?
No. It uses one entered normal hourly rate and does not automatically include variable pay elements.
Will the calculator match payroll software exactly?
Not always. Payroll software may use rounding rules, pay-period settings, entitlement data, and additional adjustments.
Entitlement and policy checks
Questions about rules that are outside this estimate.
Does this calculator determine statutory sick pay eligibility?
No. It is a contractual hourly sick pay estimate and does not determine statutory eligibility or payment requirements.
Can I use it to confirm an employee's entitlement?
No. Check the employee's contract, absence records, policy terms, and applicable payroll requirements separately.
Does it apply waiting periods automatically?
No. Enter any hours that should be unpaid as unpaid sick hours.
Does it apply sick pay caps or entitlement limits?
No. Any cap, remaining entitlement, or special policy condition must be reflected in the inputs or checked separately.
How is hourly sick pay calculated?
The estimate is the normal hourly rate multiplied by eligible paid sick hours and the paid sick leave percentage.
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