cancer carer

[quigleys point]

Hi,
There's a postie in our office who is the sole carer for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Our ever so sympathetic DOM has said he can only have unpaid leave to take them for treatment and even then he has to give 2 weeks notice!
Could anyone tell me if this is standard practice as it seems very harsh in my opinion and what are the best options so he can get paid special leave.
Or is this the caring side Royal Mail

[clashcityrocker]

The Equality Act also provides rights for people not to be directly discriminated against or harassed because they have an association with a disabled person. This can apply to a carer or parent of a disabled person.

See if your Branch has a Disabilty Champion or contact HQ for further guidance.

[fishtank]

Is it actually possible for the standard of Royal Mail manager to fall further?
It would appear so....
As long as the budgets ok though.

[speedypostman]

Throw that to your DOM's face, highligting the last phrase
Time Off to Care for Dependants


All employees have the right to take a reasonable amount of time off to deal with family emergencies. Such absences are unpaid unless the employer agrees otherwise.

The rights apply only to those providing care to a dependant which includes the employee’s spouse, parents, children, or another person living in the same household who is not a tenant, boarder or lodger. Additionally, the right extends to any person who reasonably relies upon the employee for the purpose of providing assistance or making arrangements.

Family emergencies include instances connected with the death, illness or injury of a family member, or where a dependant gives birth. The right also exists where an unexpected disruption has arisen in relation to care arrangements for a dependant, or where an incident occurs involving the worker’s child at school.

You must inform your employer of the reason for your absence as soon as possible, as well as when you expect to return to work. You can bring a claim against your employer for unreasonably refusing to allow you to take time off.

[Exrep]

Just been down this very road myself. Afterwards I felt ashamed to work for Royal Mail ashamed to be part of a union who do nothing to change the system .

This is the best I managed and boy was it a battle 3 days special leave with pay remainder of time using up A/L.

What resulted in the end was the postie it was effecting ending up on long term sick.

Email sent to the branch expressing my disgust at the system and asked for the matter to be raised further up the chain.

Make no mistake this needs changing with treatment and lots of visits to hospitals R/M and the union should be setting new standards .Which will enable folk effected by any long term or life threatening illness adequate time to get better or be the carer.

Not 3 days,not using up A/L im baffled by the whole situation i dont understand how a company as big as R/M being so cold and callous.

Good luck hope all goes well for your buddy

[quigleys point]

Thanks for the advice.
Sad to see a once great company now treats its staff with contempt.
But when you have accountants in charge what do you expect.