Stage 1 problem. Advice sought

b&wcat · Post by **b&wcat** » 26 Aug 2008, 20:51

I have acquired 4 absences from work in the last 12 months, one being a viral infection which I attended work but was sent home after 3 hours in the delivery office and advised to stay off for a few days. One after breaking a bone in my foot and the doctor advised me to keep off it for a week. And the other two being bitten by dogs whilst on duty. I had a return to work interview with the DOM (first one I might add) informing me on the Stage 1 and 2 ect. Then 4 days later I get a letter from my DOM stating I’ve triggered a stage 1 and I’m to attend a meeting the following week. I was told at the meeting that I would be informed of the outcome the next day. Nothing was said to me the following day although I did state that I’d ran over the day before by 15 minutes and was told that I should have informed him before I went out. The following day, 2 days after my meeting I was issued a stage 1!

My question is, are accidents on duty not supposed to count towards stage triggers?

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 26 Aug 2008, 20:59

The two where you were bitten by a dog on duty should be discounted did you put it in the accident book or on (ERICA) and did you take your union rep in with you?. If not why not for management will now take any opportunity to conduct you these day's!.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Aug 2008, 13:46

Unfortunately as I understand it any accident on duty should normally be discounted, but if it isn't then at Stage 1 there is no right of appeal.

However, with regard to your lack of return to work interviews and the fact they have counted the AOD absences keep all this documented and if you should ever trigger a Stage 3 where you have the right of appeal to an Employment Tribunal, it will be self evident that they have not followed the correct procedure and the Stage 3 will be withdrawn. It will also be good ammo if you ever decide to take them to an ET as is it shows lack of consistency and failure to follow official guidelines.

It works as well just look at the Bristol 3

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 27 Aug 2008, 15:35

This is where your union rep and his/her experience of the devious management tactic's come into play, Make sure all interview note's get your union rep to look over them and see if management are setting up for a fall!. Like t.b.t said it's the stage three and after that all this early work will pay off. I would like to thank my CWU union rep for all his help in the past but i will not name name's on here.

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 29 Aug 2008, 10:01

k979aaa wrote:The two where you were bitten by a dog on duty should be discounted did you put it in the accident book or on (ERICA) and did you take your union rep in with you?. If not why not for management will now take any opportunity to conduct you these day's!.

make sure everything is logged - who , what , when etc - some people report AOD's anonymously to the HSE & the DHSS as Industrial Accidents so RM can't close ranks .

It's basically a form of bullying - to teach people a lesson not to make problems for RM as they are being monitored for their poor record by putting them through RMAP .

Illegal Detriment for H&S issues is a very serious offence , enforceable in a ET .

Dynamo 2 · Post by **Dynamo 2** » 29 Aug 2008, 21:44

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:Unfortunately as I understand it any accident on duty should normally be discounted, but if it isn't then at Stage 1 there is no right of appeal.

However, with regard to your lack of return to work interviews and the fact they have counted the AOD absences keep all this documented and if you should ever trigger a Stage 3 where you have the right of appeal to an Employment Tribunal, it will be self evident that they have not followed the correct procedure and the Stage 3 will be withdrawn. It will also be good ammo if you ever decide to take them to an ET as is it shows lack of consistency and failure to follow official guidelines.

It works as well just look at the Bristol 3

Damn right there, Teebs!!!

ps: I had an accident on duty. I reported it to the DWP on advice from CWU rep, DWP sent back a report saying it was an industrial injury. ALWAYS put it in the accident book or ERICA and get the form from DWP and get it logged!!!

mailsort6 · Post by **mailsort6** » 29 Aug 2008, 23:49

You do not have the right to appeal if you get a stage 1. Your reasons for being off sick from work seem geniue. The accidents that you have had at work should be logged in the accident book or on ERICA (accident computer system), if you have not already done this get it done, go and see the health and safety rep to help you log all your accidents at work and make sure you keep all your letters concerning your sickness so that they can be produced if you have to go to an employment tribunal or if you have problems concerning the dog bits in the near future, how will you be able to claim compensation if these accidents are not logged?