Postal workers face swine flu dilemma, claims union

[Geezer]

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/ ... 5622080.jp


Published Date: 07 September 2009


Postmen in Northampton who catch swine flu are having to choose between potentially spreading the virus to people's homes or face disciplinary action, union bosses have claimed.
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) said the situation had arisen because of Royal Mail's policy that anyone off sick for more than 14 days is given a formal warning, which could eventually trigger dismissal proceedings.

Official NHS and union advice to anyone with flu-like symptoms is to stay off work to avoid the spread of the virus, but Royal Mail bosses in Northampton are refusing to budge on company policy, the CWU has said.

The situation reached a head in Northampton when a postman working from the Crow Lane depot in Billing was given a warning after taking time off because he had been diagnosed with swine flu.

Union bosses say any ill postal workers now face the choice of spreading swine flu to colleagues and people they deliver to or an official ticking off.

Mick Fitzmaurice, secretary of the Northamptonshire amalgamated branch of the CWU said: "It's a concern to our member and to Royal Mail customers.

"If they're going to start giving warnings over swine flu then there's a real danger people will come in when they're ill, which is against all the official advice.

"It can end up with people catching swine flu that shouldn't and it's all very unnecessary. It seems ridiculous really."

The CWU said it had been holding talks with managers over the Crow Lane postman's case, but Royal Mail managers had so far not changed their minds over the warning

But a Royal Mail spokeswoman defended the organisation's approach, adding: "We never discuss individual cases. We have robust processes in place to ensure our people are supported when they are away from work through illness and on their return."

The full article contains 312 words and appears in Northampton Chron & Echo newspaper.

[mandelsons_toenail]

colleague at my do was put on a stage 2 due to swine flu triggering absence?

what a joke

any ideas on this fellas?

He is furious

[POSTMAN]

colleague at my do was put on a stage 2 due to swine flu triggering absence?

what a joke

any ideas on this fellas?

He is furious

Does this help?

Clearly states in this months propaganda times,page 7,which i would suggest everyone keeps,that you 'Take medical advice and only return to work when advised by a Doctor'

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... lu#p175845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wessex]

Keep your prescription copy for tamiflu keep for min 18 mths.At any back-to work interview ensure it is recorded as swine flu not just as flu

[mandelsons_toenail]

managers said that " swine flu isnt an option" so they put it down as flu and issued the warning, this was 3 weeks ago

c***s

[UNION IVOR]

But a Royal Mail spokeswoman defended the organisation's approach, adding: "We never discuss individual cases. We have robust processes in place to ensure our people are supported when they are away from work through illness and on their return." same old sheet of paper for all the managers just issue stage warnings unless your a lick a--

[ade@cambs]

We have written to managers about this and had no reply but i was lead to understand that if it's classed as a pandemic which it is then it can't be counted against you.

Also insist on having Swine Flu written in your return to work notes if they refuse then you refuse to sign it.

[DGP1]

Just go in, coughing and sneezing and speading it around and if someone catches it from us and then dies because if it then the finger of blame can be pointed straight at management.

[lover]

ok here i go again.but why is swine flu differant from any other illness.could any of the previous posters tell me?
its now known that ,its been over exaggerated by the media and in turn by the government ,so they can look like there doing something.
its no more or less savere than normal flu. infact its probably killed less people than normal influenza.
so why do you think it deseveres extra dispensation?

[ade@cambs]

ok here i go again.but why is swine flu differant from any other illness.could any of the previous posters tell me?
its now know that ,its been over exaggerated by the media and in turn by the government ,so they can look like there doing something.
its no more or less savere than normal flu. infact its probably killed less people than normal influenza.
so why do you think it deseveres extra dispensation?

And no doubt used as another excuse to get rid of more employees.

[POSTMAN]

ok here i go again.but why is swine flu differant from any other illness.could any of the previous posters tell me?
its now known that ,its been over exaggerated by the media and in turn by the government ,so they can look like there doing something.
its no more or less savere than normal flu. infact its probably killed less people than normal influenza.
so why do you think it deseveres extra dispensation?

Wrong forum,think you need to go somewhere else to ask that.

[andy2007]

ok here i go again.but why is swine flu differant from any other illness.could any of the previous posters tell me?
its now known that ,its been over exaggerated by the media and in turn by the government ,so they can look like there doing something.
its no more or less savere than normal flu. infact its probably killed less people than normal influenza.
so why do you think it deseveres extra dispensation?

Because it's much more contagious than normal Flu, while being just as (but not more) dangerous, to high risk groups. So it's not the severity of the symptoms, but the risk you would be posing to others, if you came in.

Don't forget: Even at the Doctors, there are signs up telling you not to enter, if you think you have Swine Flu. Have you ever seen a sign like that, for normal Flu?
I haven't. Because although it's contagious. It's nowhere NEAR, as contagious as Swine Flu is.

[lover]

How long are symptoms expected to last?
As with any sort of flu, how bad the symptoms are and how long they last will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with affected people starting to recover within a week.
thats very good andy, thanks,but the question is why do the above posters all think it somehow gives them the right to take more sick leave?

[lover]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... -flu-media" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ade@cambs]

How long are symptoms expected to last?
As with any sort of flu, how bad the symptoms are and how long they last will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with affected people starting to recover within a week.
thats very good andy, thanks,but the question is why do the above posters all think it somehow gives them the right to take more sick leave?

As a Health and Safety rep i have members Health and Safety in mind, but after reading this it seems that you recommend that staff come into work regardless and just spread it around so that everyone can run the risk of catching it, seems like i have been doing my job wrong for the past seven years then.