I think the Moo and get Smart miss the point - you are paid to work. Sitting at home for more than 2 weeks sick is symptomatic of something far more problematic than simple colds and general sickness. £860pm basic sick pay far exceeds what some pay as the legal minimum: it is your responsibility to get mortgage protection insurance if you are sickly enough to require it.
You might think it harsh, but last time I checked, we were not Communists, and our economy can't afford it even if we were.
I really cannot understand the lack of motivation of some. Yes, there is the unwritten agreement with the company to work hard such that they look after you, and yes that is abused at times, but the posts above are completely imbalanced.