[berntb]

What happens in UK for those which get ill for real (need more than a couple of weeks off for operations, etc)?

I'd love to spend a few years in UK/Ireland, but I might be too spoiled (from Scandinavia). :-)

I always assumed they are better places to visit than to really live in.

[iamcalledrob]

If you take time off long-term due to illness, you will get paid either the amount of sick pay that's listed in your employment contract, or Statutory Sick Pay, which is about £80 per week, whichever is higher. You might also qualify for state benefits – housing allowance etc.

You can claim statutory for 28 weeks, but your contract might allow more than this. After the 28 weeks, you switch entirely to the benefits system until you are fit enough to work again, but your employer doesn't have to take you on again after this.

My father was long-term sick, and was paid at 100% pay for 6 months, then 50% pay for a further 6 months, which was part of his contract. His employer extended the 50% pay to a total of a year out of goodwill.

[doug_m]

Rob covers the basics below but bear in mind you can take out insurance policies that pay out if you have to take long-term sick absence.

Obviously these thing vary depending on age etc but my girlfriend has a policy like this and one for unemployment any they aren't preclusively expensive.