If Statutory Sick Pay olny comes into effect after the fourth day (First 3 days do not qualify)?

Question

According to the HMRC, SSP only starts on the fourth day of absence due to illness, does that mean the first three days are taken as unpaid sick leave? Provided that the company does not offer contractual sick pay. And what if you only ever take one or two days off, but do so every other month, does that mean you will never be paid for your time off sick? Please help!

Answer 1

is an employee allowed to take annual leave as their 3 days waiting without affecting their sickness pay?