If we receive an employee’s doctor’s certificate late, can we withhold payment of SSP?

No, SSP cannot be withheld for late receipt of medical evidence. If an employee satisfies all the usual conditions to receive SSP and you have no reason to doubt their illness, SSP can be paid without medical evidence. Bear in mind that employees often have trouble getting appointments within the 7 day period, or their sickness may have unexpectedly continued or returned.

You can, however, withhold payment of SSP for late notification by an employee of their sickness absence. I am not sure how your Company rules on sick notification sit with the statutory default rules - i.e. that an employee must notify you within 7 days of their first day of absence. If an employee notifies you of their