Will I get a stage warning after an operation?

[GHOSTman]

I'm due to return to work soon after having 8 weeks off recovering from an operation. My local union rep says that because I told them well in advance of going sick about the op, and also because it was unavoidable and un foreseen I shouldn't be issued with a stage warning, but he added that they might try it on and issue one. My rep will be coming in to my return to work interview.

Is my rep correct that I shouldn't get a warning after an operation?
What do I say / do if I do get one?
Are there any resources on here I can quote?

[noggin1969]

All

[BelfastPostie]

Yes anything beyond 14 days triggers a stage 1 attendance where you will go into the interview with your rep who will state your case and mitigating circumstances. If youve any decent kind of rep in your office you shouldnt be issued with the stage as an operation and time off incurred recuperating is the height of mitigating circumstances and if theyre not prepared to take these into account then why the feck should there be mitigating circumstances in the first place if they are not going to consider why youve been off. If your rep is an idiot (and we have some in Belfast who are in RM's pockets) then tell him/her that he/she shouldnt be pulling any punches before you go in and youre not going to accept the stage as its unacceptable, especially in these times and in the spirit of the interim agreement where we are trying to improve relations between management and employees. This might fall on deaf ears as management are inconsiderate aresholes but give them a fight anyway.

[Carnoustie]

Yes anything beyond 14 days triggers a stage 1 attendance where you will go into the interview with your rep who will state your case and mitigating circumstances. If youve any decent kind of rep in your office you shouldnt be issued with the stage as an operation and time off incurred recuperating is the height of mitigating circumstances and if theyre not prepared to take these into account then why the feck should there be mitigating circumstances in the first place if they are not going to consider why youve been off. If your rep is an idiot (and we have some in Belfast who are in RM's pockets) then tell him/her that he/she shouldnt be pulling any punches before you go in and youre not going to accept the stage as its unacceptable, especially in these times and in the spirit of the interim agreement where we are trying to improve relations between management and employees. This might fall on deaf ears as management are inconsiderate aresholes but give them a fight anyway.

I think you're being a little bit harsh on reps, mate. If the line manager involved is trying to score brownie points by issuing ALL stages, regardless of circumstances, then whatever any rep says is not going to dissuade him/her from that course of action. In fact, I suspect going in with a belligerent attitude might actually harden the linos attitude. It's an interview to discuss the reasons why a person had the time off, not a firing-squad.

Reps are not some kind of superheroes who can get anyone off any charge no matter what the scale of the absenteeism or the offence. We have two people suspended in our area, both of them for threatening behaviour. If guilty, I fail to see how it can be the fault of the rep if they are not reinstated. There's too much of this not taking responsibility for our own actions in modern life, imho.

[Blade Runner]

My rep will be coming in to my return to work interview.

Line manager can turn rep away if he wants, there is no need for rep to attend. Only at stage interviews are reps or friends allowed to attend.

[norbert]

QUOTE : "Reps are not some kind of superheroes who can get anyone off any charge no matter what the scale of the absenteeism or the offence."

there is a element that think that the Union can wave a magic wand , those days are long gone - also the rep has to watch his step in the future , a Unison rep mate of mine was asked very nicely not to stand for election again .

[headscrewedon]

a Unison rep mate of mine was asked very nicely not to stand for election again .

If they tried that kind of scare-tactic on me, it would only make me more determined to be a rep

[BelfastPostie]

Yes anything beyond 14 days triggers a stage 1 attendance where you will go into the interview with your rep who will state your case and mitigating circumstances. If youve any decent kind of rep in your office you shouldnt be issued with the stage as an operation and time off incurred recuperating is the height of mitigating circumstances and if theyre not prepared to take these into account then why the feck should there be mitigating circumstances in the first place if they are not going to consider why youve been off. If your rep is an idiot (and we have some in Belfast who are in RM's pockets) then tell him/her that he/she shouldnt be pulling any punches before you go in and youre not going to accept the stage as its unacceptable, especially in these times and in the spirit of the interim agreement where we are trying to improve relations between management and employees. This might fall on deaf ears as management are inconsiderate aresholes but give them a fight anyway.

I think you're being a little bit harsh on reps, mate. If the line manager involved is trying to score brownie points by issuing ALL stages, regardless of circumstances, then whatever any rep says is not going to dissuade him/her from that course of action. In fact, I suspect going in with a belligerent attitude might actually harden the linos attitude. It's an interview to discuss the reasons why a person had the time off, not a firing-squad.

Reps are not some kind of superheroes who can get anyone off any charge no matter what the scale of the absenteeism or the offence. We have two people suspended in our area, both of them for threatening behaviour. If guilty, I fail to see how it can be the fault of the rep if they are not reinstated. There's too much of this not taking responsibility for our own actions in modern life, imho.

In reply to Carnoustie, Belligerence? In my delivery office we have a regime of management who are out to get the workers in whatever way they can on any trivial charge possible (maybe your office is different??) and they will up the ante after our union heirarchy gave up the golden opportunity of standing up to the RM bullies once and for all some weeks ago. And thus this is the essence of the problem we have been on our knees for too long with regarding RM's management both locally and nationally. Also, it can be pretty disenchanting when you see some local 'union' officials standing about tee-heeing with these bullies who have been responsible for some shitty acts in the past against good reps- who dont use their cars during work, who take their meal breaks and who care what happens to our jobs and industry.

[Stormproof]

I have had Stages 1-3 for everything from AOD to Blood Transfusion, so expect to get issued, they don't give a shite anymore, they will also check that its not a regular occurance, ie you had the same weeks this year as you had last year.

[norbert]

a Unison rep mate of mine was asked very nicely not to stand for election again .

If they tried that kind of scare-tactic on me, it would only make me more determined to be a rep

he said there was quite a few mediocre but very ambitious managers working for the County Council . I think ? this was partially over somebody they were looking for and he stopped a interview by saying " Is this a investigation or a disciplinary ? "

Now that sort of detriment is illegal but RM have threatened many reps .

[norbert]

Yes anything beyond 14 days triggers a stage 1 attendance where you will go into the interview with your rep who will state your case and mitigating circumstances. If youve any decent kind of rep in your office you shouldnt be issued with the stage as an operation and time off incurred recuperating is the height of mitigating circumstances and if theyre not prepared to take these into account then why the feck should there be mitigating circumstances in the first place if they are not going to consider why youve been off. If your rep is an idiot (and we have some in Belfast who are in RM's pockets) then tell him/her that he/she shouldnt be pulling any punches before you go in and youre not going to accept the stage as its unacceptable, especially in these times and in the spirit of the interim agreement where we are trying to improve relations between management and employees. This might fall on deaf ears as management are inconsiderate aresholes but give them a fight anyway.

I think you're being a little bit harsh on reps, mate. If the line manager involved is trying to score brownie points by issuing ALL stages, regardless of circumstances, then whatever any rep says is not going to dissuade him/her from that course of action. In fact, I suspect going in with a belligerent attitude might actually harden the linos attitude. It's an interview to discuss the reasons why a person had the time off, not a firing-squad.

Reps are not some kind of superheroes who can get anyone off any charge no matter what the scale of the absenteeism or the offence. We have two people suspended in our area, both of them for threatening behaviour. If guilty, I fail to see how it can be the fault of the rep if they are not reinstated. There's too much of this not taking responsibility for our own actions in modern life, imho.

In reply to Carnoustie, Belligerence? In my delivery office we have a regime of management who are out to get the workers in whatever way they can on any trivial charge possible (maybe your office is different??) and they will up the ante after our union heirarchy gave up the golden opportunity of standing up to the RM bullies once and for all some weeks ago. And thus this is the essence of the problem we have been on our knees for too long with regarding RM's management both locally and nationally. Also, it can be pretty disenchanting when you see some local 'union' officials standing about tee-heeing with these bullies who have been responsible for some shitty acts in the past against good reps- who dont use their cars during work, who take their meal breaks and who care what happens to our jobs and industry.

The militancy and/or belligerence certainly can come from RM - it's just a different twist on things , you don't know what sort of cr** they've been fed with from on high

[GHOSTman]

Thanks for all the replies lads. So I'll be preparing myself for a warning when I go back then. Can anyone tell me what the current requirements are to get clear of a stage 1 warning? Haven't been on one for years. I'm sure someone said the rules have become tougher recently. Is it 1 year or 2 years to get clear? How many days / periods of absence would still allow me to clear my sick record?

[POSTMAN]

My rep will be coming in to my return to work interview.

Line manager can turn rep away if he wants, there is no need for rep to attend. Only at stage interviews are reps or friends allowed to attend.

Ermmm that's wrong,you can have a rep or colleague with you ANY time you have to see a manager.

[mal]

Ghostman,check the Downloads Section ,under SAWYER Documents and you'll find some helpful info on whats due to happen after a return to work from corrective surgery.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

My rep will be coming in to my return to work interview.

Line manager can turn rep away if he wants, there is no need for rep to attend. Only at stage interviews are reps or friends allowed to attend.

Ermmm that's wrong,you can have a rep or colleague with you ANY time you have to see a manager.

and TUC would agree with postman http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_alone.cfm#notallowed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If the process or meeting could result in a formal warning that you must improve, some kind of sanction taken against you or start a process that may result in you losing your job then in law it is a disciplinary hearing.

If your employer refuses to let you bring a companion, you should not attend a formal hearing, Instead you should put in writing that you will not attend until you are allowed to bring a companion with you as is your right under the Employment Relations Act 1999.