Advice on stage warning after several weeks off sick

[norwichchris]

Hi, I should be returning to work in a weeks time, after being off sick for seven weeks following a two and a half hour abdominal operation, due to severe stomach pain. Before this I hadn't been sick for nine months, and that was only three or four days. So even though this was something which was totally unavoidable, will I be looking at an automatic stage 1 warning at least, or is it solely down to the managers discretion, and would I be advised to have a union rep in the office with me? Any advice is much appreciated! Chris

[rehabron]

Hi, I should be returning to work in a weeks time, after being off sick for seven weeks following a two and a half hour abdominal operation, due to severe stomach pain. Before this I hadn't been sick for nine months, and that was only three or four days. So even though this was something which was totally unavoidable, will I be looking at an automatic stage 1 warning at least, or is it solely down to the managers discretion, and would I be advised to have a union rep in the office with me? Any advice is much appreciated! Chris

The time off would have been what your specialist recommended for complete recovery after your abdominal operation and would have issued a medical certificate to this effect from the hospital other than a GP medical certificate. The attendance review gives you the opportunity to put forward any mitigating circumstances for you absence and based on the merits of your case. As you seem to be not a regular absentee and this is to consider if a stage1 is appropriate it will be at the discretion of the DOM and yes should be accompanied by your union rep at the attendance meeting. If the meeting does not go in your favour and you incur further absences then you can bring this up later when the appeal stage kicks in. You did not mention if you are going btw on a rehabilitation programme of adjusted duties or reduced hours so if the time you already have been absent means that you are returning to work on a full time basis then this is a good argument for the length of time you have already been off.

[norwichchris]

Hi rehabron, thanks a lot for your helpful advice. I spoke to my shift manager a couple of weeks ago, and he said i'll have to discuss with him and ATOS about going back on a "rehab" duty (four hours a day light duties), so that seems pretty likely.

Chris