RMCtv : Existing sick leave policy being applied during industrial action : There has been no change to our existing sick leave policy but... (Dr COM's)

[POSTMAN]

Existing sick leave policy being applied during industrial action

READ ON FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON HOW OUR EXISTING SICK LEAVE POLICY IS BEING APPLIED DURING THIS PERIOD OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION

There have been a number of questions relating to the application of our sick pay policy during this period of industrial action and a number of rumours we thought it would be helpful to clarify.

Over the course of the recent 14 days of strike action, we have seen an increase in the number of colleagues calling in sick on and around strike days. To manage this spike in reported illness, we are using the sick pay policy we currently have in place.

There has been no change to our existing sick leave policy but we have asked our managers ( Dr COM's) to apply it as normal to every case to determine whether an employee’s absence from work is necessary and due to genuine illness.

Any member of staff with genuine and necessary absence for sickness on a strike day will continue to be paid. Each case will be considered on its own merits and take account of the circumstances the individual finds themselves in.

Clearly, there will be some instances where it is not appropriate to stop pay for example maternity related absences, when a colleagues is hospitalised or where an employee has symptoms and tests positive for Covid and chooses not to attend for work.

The policy states employees can arrange to get a fit note to confirm their reason for absence if they do not agree with their managers assessment (Dr COM's) and contractual sick pay may then be backdated.

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**** they have always been.

Added gif so you can download and print.

sickness.gif

# We have the wrong amount of Dr's in the UK-cause most of them are at Royal Mail


LTB 500/22 - Royal Mail Group Disputes 2022 - 'Grounds of Complaint' for Individual Claims against the company due to Unlawful Deduction of Sick Pay

LTB 448/22 - RMG Disputes 2022 - Claims for Unlawful Deductions from Pay and Trade Union Detriments - Online Claim Form

LTB 477/22 - RMG Disputes - Claims for Unlawful Deductions from Pay & Trade Union

[POSTMAN]

I am writing in response to your email on the 15/02/2011. We have considered your request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In your email you requested the following:

“….could you please provide the number of frontline managers in delivery and processing within Royal Mail Letters who have had medical training to a level that they can ascertain the health of an employee and give advice as to what work the employee can safely do within the business group as apposed to a doctors certificate.”

I can confirm that we do not hold information of the description specified in your request. Employee health services are managed by an external provider on behalf of Royal Mail.

I'm sorry that we can not be more helpful but the information you have requested is not held.

[thebigone]

So managers knows more than doctors now?

[FOST]

I am writing in response to your email on the 15/02/2011. We have considered your request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In your email you requested the following:

“….could you please provide the number of frontline managers in delivery and processing within Royal Mail Letters who have had medical training to a level that they can ascertain the health of an employee and give advice as to what work the employee can safely do within the business group as apposed to a doctors certificate.”

I can confirm that we do not hold information of the description specified in your request. Employee health services are managed by an external provider on behalf of Royal Mail.

I'm sorry that we can not be more helpful but the information you have requested is not held.

What about "Dr. Shaun"? The RM executive who I last recall appearing on RMTV at start of pandemic saying not to worry, this new Coronavirus in China can't be transferred on surfaces.

He was a PhD in management or something, but I'm sure they can wheel him out again.

[rambo1]

DR COMS!!!! Seriously, WTF. So are they gonna come round your house to 'asses' you?

[LaggyBand]

Our office is a very peaceful office, gets on with the manager, and yet today we too have been told any sick phoned in on the day of a strike OR on days either side of a strike WILL be unpaid UNTIL a doctors note is provided (no self cert).

Didn’t believe it was true until now…

[TopperGas]

Our office is a very peaceful office, gets on with the manager, and yet today we too have been told any sick phoned in on the day of a strike OR on days either side of a strike WILL be unpaid UNTIL a doctors note is provided (no self cert).

Didn’t believe it was true until now…

Will a doctor supply a sick note for the first week of illness or simply tell you that one's not required so stop wasting their time, as getting a F2F appointment at our GP's Practice is virtually impossible.

[2chorizon]

Our office is a very peaceful office, gets on with the manager, and yet today we too have been told any sick phoned in on the day of a strike OR on days either side of a strike WILL be unpaid UNTIL a doctors note is provided (no self cert).

Didn’t believe it was true until now…

Will a doctor supply a sick note for the first week of illness or simply tell you that one's not required so stop wasting their time, as getting a F2F appointment at our GP's Practice is virtually impossible.

They'll go further than that, they will ask you your emplyers contact details and a managers name and then phone up and threaten them with legal action.
GP's dont like employers sending people to their surgeries demanding sick notes before day 8

[LaggyBand]

Our office is a very peaceful office, gets on with the manager, and yet today we too have been told any sick phoned in on the day of a strike OR on days either side of a strike WILL be unpaid UNTIL a doctors note is provided (no self cert).

Didn’t believe it was true until now…

Will a doctor supply a sick note for the first week of illness or simply tell you that one's not required so stop wasting their time, as getting a F2F appointment at our GP's Practice is virtually impossible.

RM taking advantage of the situation again, bit like the cost of living crisis

[fezza34]

Had this, haven’t had a day off since 2015

[norris9]

sue them.

[oypostie]

They'll go further than that, they will ask you your employers contact details and a managers name and then phone up and threaten them with legal action.

I do hope so

[cantonkid1955]

Listen up once and for all...when your line manager says theres f.u.c.k.all wrong with you..then no matter what the highly qualified doctor or consultant says..theres f.u.c.k.all wrong with you,,,what part of that do you have a problem understanding?

[bo72]

I need to raise an ACAS grievance on this matter. Can anyone tell me how this is done?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I need to raise an ACAS grievance on this matter. Can anyone tell me how this is done?

You can contact them directly; they won't be part of the grievance but can guide you through it.

However, if you want to eventually go to a tribunal about it, you HAVE to exhaust the internal procedure first. If you are in The CWU they should help guide you through it. Alo I suggest keeping an eye on LTBs in this forum as this is a current issue for the Union.