Stage 1 - Grievance

[Lincox]

Yes, all factors except the fact that being put on stage 3 or threat of stage 3 can be as bad if not worse than the actual illness (perhaps not in a cancer case). Why should a company be allowed to put you through the mill, when just the teeniest bit of common sense, humanity should be used. But of course we are talking about Royal Mail managers. I would not think they have even heard the 'humanity' word.

[clashcityrocker]

we have a guy in my office who was issued with a stage one after having time off for an operation and treatment for prostate cancer.....the line manager told him that he had to issue it but if it gets to a stage 3 then the factors would be taken into consideration.

Absences which are incurred by employees who are disabled in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (now the Equality Act) and which, in the view of the EHS, are related to their disability, will normally be discounted.
From diagnosis, cancer is covered under the Equality Act.
The line manager was an ignorant knob end.

[74tower]

Agreed, as a manager i wouldnt have even contemplated issuing a stage 1 for a condition which clearly falls under the DDA or EA.Atos reports should support this and the issuing manager has obviously not seen this or ignored this.If god forbid this ever reached a stage 3 i would certainly , if all facts are correct , remove you from the attendance procedure .Not all managers issue mechanisticly and i consider myself to be someone who has compassion for someone who has suffered from this horrible disease.All the best !

[POSTMAN]

What i find amusing is that the only managers/ex managers who post on the site see it the same way as us most times.
Wouldn't it be interesting to see what the other knobs would post.

[R@YAL F@IL]

It looks like from what I have read on here that you cannot appeal a stage 1.
However, I am very angry at been given a Stage 1 as I have been off due to a foot operation.
My lino said that it would be unlikely that if I went sick again due to the same problem that I would be put on a stage 2.
This is just ridiculous. I don't believe I should have had this stage as I have only been on a stage once before and that was 10 years ago.

The point being, is a grievance my only option and if so, would it achieve anything other than me showing that I am p*** off?
Also, if I did put in a grievance against the line manager do I have to discuss this with the DOM or give the DOM the paperwork?

Remember these so called folk calling themselves managers have to live with these decisions, life is a long path in which paths are often crossed many times after life at Royal Mail.

[Long haul]

Never been on stage one and av 13 days sick every year, two weeks extra hols, make that three now I'm on 9 day fortnite. Managers go sick at drop of a hat but it's fun watchin them stress theirselves into an early grave

[fishtank]

Never been on stage one and av 13 days sick every year, two weeks extra hols, make that three now I'm on 9 day fortnite. Managers go sick at drop of a hat but it's fun watchin them stress theirselves into an early grave

It shows just how poor the attendance procedure is...
A guy with cancer gets staged..a guy taking the piss doesn't.

[Long haul]

Absolutely and I've only bin doin it for thirty years, work years without a day off sick and get a letter saying well done! Are you mad?

[R@YAL F@IL]

Absolutely and I've only bin doin it for thirty years, work years without a day off sick and get a letter saying well done! Are you mad?

Afraid you will have to take it on the chin mate and learn from those who play the system, not saying it is right but as they say: thats life

[Gazza90000]

Never been on stage one and av 13 days sick every year, two weeks extra hols, make that three now I'm on 9 day fortnite. Managers go sick at drop of a hat but it's fun watchin them stress theirselves into an early grave

It shows just how poor the attendance procedure is...
A guy with cancer gets staged..a guy taking the piss doesn't.

Exactly people take the piss therefore R.M. tar everyone with the same brush. Maybe if these people were not paid such as in other industries they would think twice.... I am sure we could all have a pay rise if Sick Absence was better in R.M. however I feel its a reflection of society ..... Media made great play of "days of the year most people take a sickie e.t.c."

[Long haul]

Already know when my next sick is so like me why don't you abuse the system

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Already know when my next sick is so like me why don't you abuse the system

This is a Personal response - I wouldn't do it because I know the grief it can cause my colleagues. Not in the short term, thats managements problems. But when they start to change the sickness procedures and reducing the timescales for dismissals, which I hear is being looked at constantly, because of people playing the system. Its strange but J&F ruined the job because people played the system, and they changed that. I can't see any reason from RMs point of view not to try and change the sick process for the exact same reason (although I will fight it)

Eventually I can see RM going the same way as most business and removing sick pay for the 1st three days, perhaps it will stop people playing the system, which is what RM wants, but it will also force those that are genuinely ill, but on a tight budget, to work through it. Just my opinion though and if your happy doing it, carry on just hope your diary is accurate.

[74tower]

Nice one long haul ! a genuine colleague with cancer and a piss taker like you ! Well at least we know you have worked for the business for 30 years , take 13 days sick every year and work a 9 day fortnight ! HR should be able to narrow that down ! Shame on you !

[R@YAL F@IL]

Already know when my next sick is so like me why don't you abuse the system

Take the advice mate and feel grateful you have a job, not only are you cheating your employer you are cheating your work colleagues