---
title: "Creating protected periods for OSP schemes"
slug: "how-do-i-create-protected-periods-for-occupational-sickness-schemes"
description: "Add protected calendar periods to an Occupational Sick Pay scheme, for schemes with protected days such as teachers."
updated: 2026-07-29T08:43:04Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:22:33Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-create-protected-periods-for-occupational-sickness-schemes"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating protected periods for OSP schemes

**Cintra iQ** provides a facility to manage a range of **Occupational Sick Pay (OSP)** schemes. **OSP** entitlements are calculated by length of continuous service and paid as a factor of full pay. An employee can only be attached to one scheme at any specific date, but you can create any number of schemes with different rules. Within the **OSP** scheme, you can define the **Entitlement** settings and details.​

If you have a sick scheme that has some protected calendar days e.g. Teachers, you will need to enter all of the protected days into the scheme.

## To create protected periods

1. Navigate to the **Occupational Sickness Schemes** window. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Payroll > Payroll Setup > Benefit Schemes > Occupational Sick Pay.
2. Open the desired scheme.
3. Navigate to the **Entitlements** tab.
4. Click the **Protected Periods** button. The **OSS Protected Periods** window appears.
5. Right-click: **New** within the pane. The **OSS Protected Periods** form appears.
6. Enter the **Entitlement Period Start** date.
7. Enter the **Entitlement Period End** date.
8. Enter the **Reason** for the protected period.
9. Continue to enter the desired protected periods.
10. Click the **OK** button.