Stage Warnings

[taurus88]

I'm more or less certain to get a stage one after my recent three-week absence, but I was wondering about the back to work issue - I was under the impression that it was a standard part of procedure and that a stage warning could not be issued without a back to work having first taken place. Or is the rule book being written as they go along?

[clashcityrocker]

The back to work "interview" is an informal chat outside of the Attendance Procedure.
It could go like this:

Line Manager: You OK now then.
You: Yep.

[POSTMAN]

Which is strange because at our place there is a tick box sheet we have to go through with a screw,with one question being do we need any further help re ATOS.

[fishtank]

Which is strange because at our place there is a tick box sheet we have to go through with a screw,with one question being do we need any further help re ATOS.

These are pretty new(we have them too),totally RM(not agreed) and since the Attendance Agreement hasn't been updated to include them,it's doubtful you could use them in an argument.
I think the new agreement will formalise(is that a word?) the RTW which i think are now called "Welcome Back Meetings" but we're still waiting on that gem being padded out.....

[clashcityrocker]

Are you entitled to have a rep/witness present at these Welcome Back meetings?

[fishtank]

Are you entitled to have a rep/witness present at these Welcome Back meetings?

I don't personally think that will happen but i could be wrong.
To be honest since it still says informal it could be argued that nothing has changed except the name.

Welcome Back Meeting

. Following any period of absence, an informal Welcome Back meeting will be held
between the employee and their manager, ideally on the first day back
. The purpose of the meeting is to:
o Acknowledge the employee’s return and show that his or her attendance
is valued
o Enable the employee to air any concerns and to see if help can be given
to encourage regular attendance
o Discuss the reason for the absence
o Offer any support Royal Mail can provide
o Ensure that the employee is fit for work
o Ensure that the absence is properly certificated
o Discuss if appropriate whether re-occurrence of absence is likely.
. This discussion should be sympathetic and supportive.
. If it is felt that there is an underlying health issue which has not been previously
identified, the manager should consider a referral to the Occupational Health Service.