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Two million low-paid workers could receive statutory sick pay (SSP) for the first time as part of reforms aimed at supporting people with health conditions in the workplace.
Currently, employees must earn at least the equivalent of 14 hours on the minimum wage to qualify.
But the government is looking at whether to extend eligibility to those earning below this threshold.
There could also be more help for those returning to work after sick leave.
The government will launch a consultation on Monday.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We need to remove the barriers that stop people with disabilities or health conditions from reaching their full potential – these steps will help us achieve that.”
To receive SSP workers need to earn at least £118 a week, although the threshold is reviewed every tax year.
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Gig economy companies such as Deliveroo employ staff on short term contracts that do not offer holiday or sick pay
It is unclear if the plans would benefit “gig” workers on freelance or short-term contracts, but the Department for Work and Pensions said the consultation did not seek to “undermine the flexibility in the UK labour market”.
Around 1.1 million people in the UK are considered gig economy workers, receiving little or no holiday or sick pay.
Phased returns to work
The government is also looking at making statutory sick pay more flexible, as it seeks to reduce the number of people quitting work after a period of sickness.
Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job after a sickness absence lasting at least four weeks, it said.
It will explore allowing phased returns to work, in which people would continue to receive SSP, as well as offering small businesses who help employees return to work a rebate.
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Ministers say the consultation did not seek to undermine the labour market’s flexibility
It will also consider whether to change legal guidance to encourage employers to intervene early during a period of sickness absence.
For example, employees could be given the right to request modifications to their working patterns – similar to the right to request flexible working – to help them return to work.
Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director at lobby group the CBI, said managing sickness absence effectively made “good business sense”.