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ATOS and Royal Mail
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P739
- Posts: 277
- Joined: 20 Sep 2007, 13:48
ATOS and Royal Mail
Why did Royal Mail finish with ATOS or was it the other way round ? can anyone shed any light on this please..
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Bahia Feliz
- Posts: 1169
- Joined: 22 Sep 2008, 21:04
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
Weren't Atos a French company who got a lot of stick in the media and lost a government contract?
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iHateD2Ds
- Posts: 548
- Joined: 16 Apr 2008, 16:33
ATOS and Royal Mail
Same company different nameP739 wrote:Why did Royal Mail finish with ATOS or was it the other way round ? can anyone shed any light on this please..
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crazyshrew
- Posts: 584
- Joined: 19 Jun 2011, 16:58
- Gender: Female
- Location: Coastal, South West
ATOS and Royal Mail
They haven't.
Atos had to rebrand their UK business occupational health services to OH Assist, due to the toxic reputation the ATOS brand had developed thanks to their business with the DWP - Including the ridiculous situations where ATOS would declare an employee as unfit for work and recommend them for ill health retirement and then just a few weeks or months later find the same person as fit for work for the DWP.
As of this month, Royal Mail has revised its contract with OH Assist (formally known as ATOS) as outlined in this LTB
(TLDR - Royal mail want to save money and get results that suit them rather than what in the best interests of the employee)
Atos had to rebrand their UK business occupational health services to OH Assist, due to the toxic reputation the ATOS brand had developed thanks to their business with the DWP - Including the ridiculous situations where ATOS would declare an employee as unfit for work and recommend them for ill health retirement and then just a few weeks or months later find the same person as fit for work for the DWP.
As of this month, Royal Mail has revised its contract with OH Assist (formally known as ATOS) as outlined in this LTB
(TLDR - Royal mail want to save money and get results that suit them rather than what in the best interests of the employee)
LTB 025/17 - Occupational Health Service from April 2017
No. 025/2017
18 January 2017
Occupational Health Service from April 2017
Dear Colleagues,
The union has been advised that Royal Mail has revised its contract with OH Assist (formerly Atos) and will be reshaping the OH Service from April 2017.
I attach a letter from Dr Shaun Davis, the Global Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Sustainability, Royal Mail Group, which outlines in brief the changes planned:
• Royal Mail will continue to work with OH Assist (formerly Atos) but with a reduced portfolio of services
• The key issues for Royal Mail are:
o The way in which Occupational Health Services are accessed and the workload this creates for operational managers
o Value for money and controls over spend levels
• The new approach has two major themes:
o Royal Mail will insource some of the service lines (Bullying and Harassment Helpline and the Rowland Hill Fund) into the HR Services team in Sheffield
o Access to other service lines will be controlled by using the HR Services team as the interface to OH Assist
• Case management for musculoskeletal and mental health related absence will cease. Physiotherapy (on a “capped and controlled basis”) and face to face counselling will continue to be provided but via HR Services referral
The union is seeking further detail of the planned changes and their implications for members but we have expressed our view that this looks like an opportunity missed. Treating Operational Manager workload and “value for money and control over spending” as the key issues – rather than provision of a high quality occupational health service for employees – seems to be a further step in making OH support even more remote and faceless, driven by short term cost cutting imperatives.
Royal Mail has confirmed that medical referrals will continue to take place “where we have legal or RMG policy reasons for doing so. This includes driver medical assessments, Night Workers/Airside
Health Questionnaires and Risk Assessments, Pre-Employment Health Checks, Medico-Legal Reports, Workstation and Workplace Assessments (all legal requirements), and Leaving The Business Due to Ill Health, Deferred Pension Policy support and Attendance Policy/Consideration of Dismissal support (all RMG policy requirements).”
Branches and representatives should remain vigilant in ensuring that health & safety, attendance procedure and long term ill health referrals take place in line with the relevant procedures and legal requirements.
All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 415. Email address: djeffery@cwu.org
Yours Sincerely,
Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary
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woody38
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 273
- Joined: 19 Apr 2016, 08:38
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
My manager told me all oh assist are going to do now is deal with people for medical retirement, they will not be involved when u are off sick or phasing u back to work with shorter hours
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maboo
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 25 Oct 2013, 09:57
- Gender: Female
ATOS and Royal Mail
Your manager is a twot. Same old spiel from the management team who do not read the literature they are provided with so they make it up on the spot to sound intelligent. Well these numbskulls had better buck up their ideas. Its not a fast track way out of the business, its the reverse.
The OHS guide for managers April 1 2017, makes the process clear. The manager contacts HR on 0345 6060603 for guidance and a referral. You the employee contact Feeling First Class on 0800 6888777.
All the current policies ie Attendance, leaving the business due to ill health and working arrangements have to be applied. SHE standards set out compulsory compliance requirements and this includes Element 12: Occupational Health & Well Being.
When returning to work temp adjustments can be made while they are receiving or waiting for treatment ie change in hours, type of work etc. YOu can tell the manager what your skills are or you can ask for training. He can explain what this impact on his workload but the manager must speak to HR Advice and Support for advice.
Those with mental health ie stress etc - the manager has a legal duty of care. Feeling First Class is the employees point of contact. Again manager contacts OH team in HR services so you can be referred for counselling or for an attendance support appointment.
Those covered under the Equality Act - the manager has to contact HR Service for advice. If the employee has raised this as part of the consideration of dismissal - manager contacts HR Services.
Rehab plans - normally between 1 to 4 weeks but if you require an extension - manager contacts HR Services. Modified duties: this should be reviewed weekly with you and it is expected you are back to normal duty from between 4 to 6 weeks.
Physio referral - this is capped but you can access this if your GP has referred you through the NHS. A referral will be accepted if you are at work and unable or at risk of doing your normal duty. This is also available through the Fit for Work Scheme.
If after all this you are unable to carry out your normal duties - Royal Mail will work with the employee to find suitable employment in another role. Again Manager contacts HR services.
At present, your OH report is sent electronically to your referring manager. He then copies other managers in. This is of a concern to me as its your private medical information, left on his email account. If that manager moves - then you will struggle to get your OH report. In our office, they don't print off the OH report they receive and place it in your personal file. Its wrong in so many ways. This I feel needs to change, however, I have been assured this is now only short-term and in future the managers will have a secure portal to view the reports from.
THIS IS A BIGGIE: DOCTORS NOTE SAYS YOU ARE UNFIT TO WORK BUT MANAGER THINKS YOU CAN - DOCTORS DECISION HAS TO BE FOLLOWED - End of discussion. Manager will then contact HR services for advice. No longer can a knuckle head make 'managers decision'.
If you are referred to OH but the referral team say not appropriate to do so - manager speaks with HR Services.
If Absences are longer than 28 days (ie medical note from doc signs you off in advance) - can a manager refer you to OH before the 28 days? - manager contacts OH team in HR Services for a decision if he can or not.
ITS clear - managers need to speak with HR Services before they make/threaten you. But, and its a big BUT, if your manager does not relay the full and proper information to HR Services, they will only give advice on what he is telling them. So if he tells HR verbally, you have a knee injury and omits in the conversation it happened at work - the outcome will be different. This I feel needs clarifying and all referrals should be in writing so you can read and challenge it.
Accident at work - managers follow Accident on Duty guidelines - if you are absent from work due to this - manager contacts HR Services
The manager is to act on the most recent medical advice received and speaks to the employee. If this conflicts with OH and other services ie Fit For Work - then there is a process he has to go through. And guess what? HR Services (Advice and Support) become involved.
Hopefully this will eliminate the spiteful, vindictive behaviour of some managers who use your illness/injury to batter you through constant referrals of their own choice or threatening to cut off your pay if they disagree with the doctor's note. They can't hide behind ATOS/OH and use this has a tool to target you.
Also, whatever the final solution is - the manager has to put it in writing to you.
The Fit for Work scheme can play a big part in your rehab. I would advise anyone off for 4 weeks or more to use this service. tel: 0800 032 6235 or http://www.fitforwork.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
FFW gives you free health advice and free referral for OH assessment. It also gives Royal Mail a tax exemption of up to £500 per year per employee on medical treatments.
This service is accessed via your GP or your manager. The OH assessment takes place over the phone and will produce a Return to Work Plan. You can have a case manager allocated who will liaise with your manager.
NOTE: a Return to Work plan can be used as evidence of sickness absence in the same way as a GP note. You don't need to obtain further notes.
PHEW. Hopefully this can guide some of you. But, the onus is on YOU.
If you have disabilities then contact the helpdesk on 0800 028 6142 and arrange for workplace assessments.
If you are feeling bullied, then ring 0800 5874777.
The OHS guide for managers April 1 2017, makes the process clear. The manager contacts HR on 0345 6060603 for guidance and a referral. You the employee contact Feeling First Class on 0800 6888777.
All the current policies ie Attendance, leaving the business due to ill health and working arrangements have to be applied. SHE standards set out compulsory compliance requirements and this includes Element 12: Occupational Health & Well Being.
When returning to work temp adjustments can be made while they are receiving or waiting for treatment ie change in hours, type of work etc. YOu can tell the manager what your skills are or you can ask for training. He can explain what this impact on his workload but the manager must speak to HR Advice and Support for advice.
Those with mental health ie stress etc - the manager has a legal duty of care. Feeling First Class is the employees point of contact. Again manager contacts OH team in HR services so you can be referred for counselling or for an attendance support appointment.
Those covered under the Equality Act - the manager has to contact HR Service for advice. If the employee has raised this as part of the consideration of dismissal - manager contacts HR Services.
Rehab plans - normally between 1 to 4 weeks but if you require an extension - manager contacts HR Services. Modified duties: this should be reviewed weekly with you and it is expected you are back to normal duty from between 4 to 6 weeks.
Physio referral - this is capped but you can access this if your GP has referred you through the NHS. A referral will be accepted if you are at work and unable or at risk of doing your normal duty. This is also available through the Fit for Work Scheme.
If after all this you are unable to carry out your normal duties - Royal Mail will work with the employee to find suitable employment in another role. Again Manager contacts HR services.
At present, your OH report is sent electronically to your referring manager. He then copies other managers in. This is of a concern to me as its your private medical information, left on his email account. If that manager moves - then you will struggle to get your OH report. In our office, they don't print off the OH report they receive and place it in your personal file. Its wrong in so many ways. This I feel needs to change, however, I have been assured this is now only short-term and in future the managers will have a secure portal to view the reports from.
THIS IS A BIGGIE: DOCTORS NOTE SAYS YOU ARE UNFIT TO WORK BUT MANAGER THINKS YOU CAN - DOCTORS DECISION HAS TO BE FOLLOWED - End of discussion. Manager will then contact HR services for advice. No longer can a knuckle head make 'managers decision'.
If you are referred to OH but the referral team say not appropriate to do so - manager speaks with HR Services.
If Absences are longer than 28 days (ie medical note from doc signs you off in advance) - can a manager refer you to OH before the 28 days? - manager contacts OH team in HR Services for a decision if he can or not.
ITS clear - managers need to speak with HR Services before they make/threaten you. But, and its a big BUT, if your manager does not relay the full and proper information to HR Services, they will only give advice on what he is telling them. So if he tells HR verbally, you have a knee injury and omits in the conversation it happened at work - the outcome will be different. This I feel needs clarifying and all referrals should be in writing so you can read and challenge it.
Accident at work - managers follow Accident on Duty guidelines - if you are absent from work due to this - manager contacts HR Services
The manager is to act on the most recent medical advice received and speaks to the employee. If this conflicts with OH and other services ie Fit For Work - then there is a process he has to go through. And guess what? HR Services (Advice and Support) become involved.
Hopefully this will eliminate the spiteful, vindictive behaviour of some managers who use your illness/injury to batter you through constant referrals of their own choice or threatening to cut off your pay if they disagree with the doctor's note. They can't hide behind ATOS/OH and use this has a tool to target you.
Also, whatever the final solution is - the manager has to put it in writing to you.
The Fit for Work scheme can play a big part in your rehab. I would advise anyone off for 4 weeks or more to use this service. tel: 0800 032 6235 or http://www.fitforwork.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
FFW gives you free health advice and free referral for OH assessment. It also gives Royal Mail a tax exemption of up to £500 per year per employee on medical treatments.
This service is accessed via your GP or your manager. The OH assessment takes place over the phone and will produce a Return to Work Plan. You can have a case manager allocated who will liaise with your manager.
NOTE: a Return to Work plan can be used as evidence of sickness absence in the same way as a GP note. You don't need to obtain further notes.
PHEW. Hopefully this can guide some of you. But, the onus is on YOU.
If you have disabilities then contact the helpdesk on 0800 028 6142 and arrange for workplace assessments.
If you are feeling bullied, then ring 0800 5874777.
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Sir Henry
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: 24 Oct 2014, 00:33
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
Resurrecting this to ask..
Is there anything written down in black and white that we can refer to so we can wave it under the noses of the screws when they're being a bit 'disingenuous'* in their handling of sick absence?
Is there anything written down in black and white that we can refer to so we can wave it under the noses of the screws when they're being a bit 'disingenuous'* in their handling of sick absence?
"A third of the world's farmland is now useless due to soil degradation, yet we still keep producing mouths to feed. And what's you answer to that? Energy saving lightbulbs?"
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POSTMAN
- SITE ADMINISTRATOR
- Posts: 32798
- Joined: 07 Aug 2006, 03:19
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
Lots of stuff in the attendance agreement...
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=52975" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=52975" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I Wrote-During Covid-Which is still relevant now
It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox, so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low-life C***S they have always been.
My BFF Clash
The daily grind of having to argue your case with an intellectual pigmy of a line manager is physically and emotionally draining.
It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox, so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low-life C***S they have always been.
My BFF Clash
The daily grind of having to argue your case with an intellectual pigmy of a line manager is physically and emotionally draining.
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Sir Henry
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: 24 Oct 2014, 00:33
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
Cheers Postman.
Has the attendance agreement been updated since the screws have started ( or more to the point NOT started )
to refer people to HR for OH ASSist input?
Has the attendance agreement been updated since the screws have started ( or more to the point NOT started )
to refer people to HR for OH ASSist input?
"A third of the world's farmland is now useless due to soil degradation, yet we still keep producing mouths to feed. And what's you answer to that? Energy saving lightbulbs?"
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General Mannerheim
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 2299
- Joined: 14 Dec 2007, 13:10
- Gender: Male
- Location: Stalag 17
ATOS and Royal Mail
Nope.Sir Henry wrote:Cheers Postman.
Has the attendance agreement been updated since the screws have started ( or more to the point NOT started )
to refer people to HR for OH ASSist input?
Royal Mail managers.....about as popular as a t.urd in a swimming pool!
The DDA/Equality Act demands action,NOT words......adjustments NOT Occupational Health referrals.Case No:2505901/09
Royal Mail is an Equal Opportunities Employer..It discriminates against everybody.
The DDA/Equality Act demands action,NOT words......adjustments NOT Occupational Health referrals.Case No:2505901/09
Royal Mail is an Equal Opportunities Employer..It discriminates against everybody.
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Sir Henry
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: 24 Oct 2014, 00:33
- Gender: Male
ATOS and Royal Mail
Quelle surprise! Our area rep thought it was RMC bollocks when I told him about the screws referring people to HR for contact with OH ASSist.
"A third of the world's farmland is now useless due to soil degradation, yet we still keep producing mouths to feed. And what's you answer to that? Energy saving lightbulbs?"