Abandonment of Duty

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 05 Dec 2008, 16:58

Is it to do with cutting off?

Post by **baldrick** » 05 Dec 2008, 20:58

You're right, it is a serious offence warranting dismissal.
It is usually used for people who have just left the job without informing RM though, so I
don't suppose they would care. Don't know what happens if the person has a reason for the
Abandoment of Duty, and wants to keep his/her job.

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 05 Dec 2008, 21:20

Stress can be a strange animal it could even cause you not to want to go into work although you may be fit and well ....strange thing the human brain

make sure his case is a good one have seen a few sackings using this method very dubious way to conduct someone but never the less used when nothing else will stick

Post by **dvbuk55** » 05 Dec 2008, 21:31

I have seen it used but it was in extremis - someone just didn't return to work from a sickness absence, and despite RM trying to contact him and sending letters etc, he never resurfaced and was sacked in absentia with abandonment given as the reason.

If the person is available to answer for his absence then he should have a good reason.

Sandyman · Post by **Sandyman** » 06 Dec 2008, 00:22

axeman wrote:Stress can be a strange animal it could even cause you not to want to go into work although you may be fit and well ....strange thing the human brain

make sure his case is a good one have seen a few sackings using this method very dubious way to conduct someone but never the less used when nothing else will stick

Spot on axeman. The details are not for us to see - but have the OHS been involved or had any input on behalf of "The Business" ? Or the member's GP?

Wishing the person concerned all the best.

NumptyBumpty · Post by **NumptyBumpty** » 06 Dec 2008, 11:09

axeman wrote:Stress can be a strange animal it could even cause you not to want to go into work although you may be fit and well ....strange thing the human brain

make sure his case is a good one have seen a few sackings using this method very dubious way to conduct someone but never the less used when nothing else will stick

I hope you're not encouraging him to lie about the reason he didn't attend work, why should the rest of us cover for someone if they haven't got a genuine reason to be off.

It depends on how long the unauthorised absence was and what the reason for not attending. If it was just a couple of days sick and he didn't ring in then it will probably be pay stopped and a slap on the wrist. If it was a long period with no genuine reason then it's probably going to be a bad outcome, but the abandonment of service procedure should have been followed after a week. There are other circumstances that will be looked at too, like previous unauthorised absences, conduct issues, etc.

Without any details it's not possible to give much of an opinion, sorry.

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 06 Dec 2008, 18:26

It's quite intresting how selfish some people are isn't it !!!

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 06 Dec 2008, 22:02

axeman wrote:It's quite intresting how selfish some people are isn't it !!!

No

NumptyBumpty · Post by **NumptyBumpty** » 06 Dec 2008, 23:36

axeman wrote:It's quite intresting how selfish some people are isn't it !!!

Yeah, it's a shame that there has to be abandonment of service procedures, imagine not turning up for work and then getting paid for it!

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 07 Dec 2008, 00:58

I hope you're not encouraging him to lie about the reason he didn't attend work, why should the rest of us cover for someone if they haven't got a genuine reason to be off.

just to put you in the picture this is what i was refering to with reference to being selfish

axeman · Post by **axeman** » 07 Dec 2008, 08:29

not me buddy refering to 'numpty' above ^......''''''there with the grace of god go i

redman · Post by **redman** » 07 Dec 2008, 11:25

There is a set procedure for failing to attend work without justification. The Abandonment of Service procedure depends on length of service. If its within the first year its triggered after one day if no contact between the person and his Line Manger, if its over a year its three days.

A letter goes out that requires a reply within 48 hours or pay will be stopped, if after a second letter is sent without contact a final letter is sent that automatically leads to dismisal.

There are very few reasons IMO to excuse absence with no contact, even severe cases of depression should not stop anyone either ringing or passing on reasons for not attending work. Occasionally there are exceptional circumstances but in my experience abandonment of service is justified. If someone takes time off and cannot be bothered to make a phone call just because its too much trouble he deserves the consequences.

Royal Mail or any other company will not pay wages for a person staying away from work with no health or personal issues and why should it?

NumptyBumpty · Post by **NumptyBumpty** » 07 Dec 2008, 12:26

axeman wrote:I hope you're not encouraging him to lie about the reason he didn't attend work, why should the rest of us cover for someone if they haven't got a genuine reason to be off.

just to put you in the picture this is what i was refering to with reference to being selfish

I know, but were you referring to me being selfish or the person who has abandoned? I'm not a postie BTW so my perspective is probably different. We don't get overtime but we do have to cover absence regardless otherwise people don't get paid!

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 08 Dec 2008, 16:29

redman wrote:There is a set procedure for failing to attend work without justification. The Abandonment of Service procedure depends on length of service. If its within the first year its triggered after one day if no contact between the person and his Line Manger, if its over a year its three days.

A letter goes out that requires a reply within 48 hours or pay will be stopped, if after a second letter is sent without contact a final letter is sent that automatically leads to dismisal.

There are very few reasons IMO to excuse absence with no contact, even severe cases of depression should not stop anyone either ringing or passing on reasons for not attending work. Occasionally there are exceptional circumstances but in my experience abandonment of service is justified. If someone takes time off and cannot be bothered to make a phone call just because its too much trouble he deserves the consequences.

Royal Mail or any other company will not pay wages for a person staying away from work with no health or personal issues and why should it?

Then how about a colleague who suffers an AOD - Accident on Duty, who then informs management or PHG (contact made) that they will be unable to attend, and is then regardless of having had an AOD taking down the Abandonment of Service procedure by his Manager. Is this in your opinion fair and just?

Post by **dvbuk55** » 08 Dec 2008, 16:41

brothermagrew wrote:
redman wrote:There is a set procedure for failing to attend work without justification. The Abandonment of Service procedure depends on length of service. If its within the first year its triggered after one day if no contact between the person and his Line Manger, if its over a year its three days.

A letter goes out that requires a reply within 48 hours or pay will be stopped, if after a second letter is sent without contact a final letter is sent that automatically leads to dismisal.

There are very few reasons IMO to excuse absence with no contact, even severe cases of depression should not stop anyone either ringing or passing on reasons for not attending work. Occasionally there are exceptional circumstances but in my experience abandonment of service is justified. If someone takes time off and cannot be bothered to make a phone call just because its too much trouble he deserves the consequences.

Royal Mail or any other company will not pay wages for a person staying away from work with no health or personal issues and why should it?
Then how about a colleague who suffers an AOD - Accident on Duty, who then informs management or PHG (contact made) that they will be unable to attend, and is then regardless of having had an AOD taking down the Abandonment of Service procedure by his Manager. Is this in your opinion fair and just?

At face value it wouldn't but what sort of accident would allow contact with a (now defunct) PHG and not a Line Manager - if the colleague he passed the message on to didn't pass on the message to a manager then he has a witness in his favour - and if he had an accident on duty then he should have had it entered in the register in case of complications.