If your take-home pay varies week to week because of overtime or shift patterns, your average weekly earningsThe average amount you earn per week, usually calculated over a reference period before your absence started. It's used to work out how much Statutory Sick Pay, maternity pay, or other statutory payme... smooth that out into a single figure, and that figure decides your Statutory Sick PayA minimum payment your employer must make if you are off sick for four or more consecutive days and you meet the eligibility criteria. It is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks and is significant... rate.