It doesn't apply to the UK. If you're sick, be sick. You'll be paid, too.
A few caveats:
1. The above is for permanent positions. If you're a contractor the rules are different.
2. The above is true once you're through probation, which might be the first six months.
3. I have no idea what it's like in startups. I've only ever worked for big companies or the government.
But in general, sick leave is a benefit like a company car or flexible working. If it's in your contract, no one will mind you using it.
A point about holiday leave, too. In the UK, it's usual to take holidays. Everyone does, and then we talk about them in the office afterwards. It's considered part of being a rounded human being. Most holiday entitlements don't roll over, either, so if you don't use your 30 days (for example), you lose the remainder. This means there's a bit of a scramble to get them used up before rollover day. Everyone does this, and you'll be looked upon as a bit peculiar if you don't use the holidays you're entitled to.
A lot of companies in the US either give you a fixed amount of sick days – they won't fire you if you go over, but you won't get paid – or they consider paid time off and sick days to be equivalent, and so if you're sick for a week, you're seriously eating into your vacation time unless you can afford to go on an unpaid leave (and your supervisor lets you).
Some companies, (I think Cisco is one) - gives you a "bucket" of days to use how you wish, Sick Day, Vacation Day, whatever. So, using up a sick day just means one less vacation day.
A few caveats:
1. The above is for permanent positions. If you're a contractor the rules are different.
2. The above is true once you're through probation, which might be the first six months.
3. I have no idea what it's like in startups. I've only ever worked for big companies or the government.
But in general, sick leave is a benefit like a company car or flexible working. If it's in your contract, no one will mind you using it.
A point about holiday leave, too. In the UK, it's usual to take holidays. Everyone does, and then we talk about them in the office afterwards. It's considered part of being a rounded human being. Most holiday entitlements don't roll over, either, so if you don't use your 30 days (for example), you lose the remainder. This means there's a bit of a scramble to get them used up before rollover day. Everyone does this, and you'll be looked upon as a bit peculiar if you don't use the holidays you're entitled to.