SSP in first 12 months?

[no_values]

I have been working as a postman in Leeds for the last five months. I was hired on a 25 hour, 3 month contract which has been extended once.
I was put on what's known around the office as the worst walk- typically four hours on steep hills and normally very heavy bags. After three weeks I told my manager that I was suffering quite a lot and having constant back pain and asked if it was possible to have a break from this walk. The following week he put me on a walk that wasn't much better and my back pain was only getting worse.
On the Thursday I went to see my GP who advised me to take a week off work, and filled out a sick note explaining that. So I called in sick the next day and had a week off to rest. The day following my return to work I had a meeting with the manager about my time off, how the medical problem was caused etc. Then at the end she told me that because it was within my first twelve months with the company I wouldn't be paid at all for the week I was off.
I can't understand how this is fair or legal, how am I supposed to pay rent? I didn't ask for chronic back pain, surely Royal Mail is liable for my loss of earnings?
Thanks for your time...

[mazza111]

You won't be entitled to Company Sick pay, but you should get Statutory Sick Pay, which I think kicks in after you've been off work for 4 days, it's not a lot but owt's better than nowt. Think this is how it used to work anyhoo, no doubt someone will put me right if it's not.

[mazza111]

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[Judgee]

I was fine not getting paid sick pay for the first year when I started. What pissed me off was I ended up on a 1st stage warning that year and my lino said it was justified as every time I was off it cost them money? How? My wages for that week were just paid to whoever covered it?

Still, many companies have a qualifying period for sick pay and many don't pay sick pay at all. It's shitty but I can see thier reasoning behind the qualifying period. After all someone could go off sick the first week into the job and then sit scratching thier balls for 6 months on full pay. Bit like Boogers who went to play for WHU a few years back!