sickness interview

[DaveyJ70]

hi guys, new to the forum.

I went to an interview at my office last week because I've been off sick for a couple of weeks with a back injury. First time I have been off since I started 2 years ago.
When I went in my manager sat asking questions while his assistant was scribbling away. I got a letter a few days later that said I had to sign the interview paper and return it.
The lad I took in as my witness said that he has never heard of that before. usually they just want to put a bit of pressure on you to go back. I phoned the union rep and he told me it sounded strange and usually only asked for notes to be signed in disciplinary cases. He is back end of next week but my manager phoned me and told me I have to send the notes back on Monday saying I agree with them or he might have to look into it further. A lot of stuff I said wasn't there in the notes either.

I am pretty worried about this. Why do I have to send notes back if I've not done anything dodgy in the job. Is this common place for people being off sick. A few other guys say they usually just pop in for 10 minutes and go away again. I was in for ages. Why?

[jockstrapp]

Easy answer is "NEVER SIGN ANYTHING"

[fishtank]

It's unusual to take notes at a sick absence contact meeting as they are not part of the formal process.
I wouldn't worry too much about signing them.
If you do not agree with them write "I do not agree that these notes are a true reflection of the meeting" and then sign them and if your witness agrees get him to sign the statement too.

[wandle]

Sounds to me like the manager was taking advantage of your rep being away and your inexperience in these matters. Don't sign anything and learn the lesson that you should never go into any such meeting without your rep being there too.

[POSTMAN]

Contact your area rep asap,your manager is taking the piss,he aint a f***ing doctor is he.

[drb]

You should only have a back to work interview,not an interview as such. Back to works normally throw up any under lying issues and can be used for your 1st,2nd,3rd stages. In fact a back to work interview is a must.

[DGP1]

You should only have a back to work interview,not an interview as such. Back to works normally throw up any under lying issues and can be used for your 1st,2nd,3rd stages. In fact a back to work interview is a must.

Have had to go in for an interview after 2/3 days for years now, with the DSM and if you don't attend then your sick pay is stopped.

[bam2217]

Iworked for Royal mail for 21 years and over that time had a bit of time off with one thing or another as you can imagine although our Manageres are a bit on the challenging side we only ever had back to work interviews and never no signiture required, i would say that your manager is using bullying tactics youd cant stand for this and should never sign anything if you dont agree to it, sounds as if you should get the most senior Union member you can on the job. Theres something fishy about this.

[Listonosz]

Don't sign em! never heard of notes being taken during a sickness interview.

Couple of months ago I was on sick covered with doctors note, on return to work was given a stage one yet never recieved a back to work talk. They just do what they want!