Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978

9 (1) If in any week the employee is, for the whole or part of the week—

(a) incapable of work in consequence of sickness or injury, or

(b) absent from work on account of a temporary cessation of work, or

(c) absent from work in circumstances such that, by arrangement or custom, he is regarded as continuing in the employment of his employer for all or any purposes, or

(d) absent from work wholly or partly because of pregnancy or confinement,

that week shall, notwithstanding that it does not fall under paragraph 3, 4 or 5, count as a period of employment.

(2) Not more than twenty-six weeks shall count under paragraph (a) or, subject to paragraph 10, under paragraph (d) of sub-paragraph (1) between any periods falling under paragraph 3, 4 or 5.