Attendance Procedure - Fixed 12 Months?

[without_a_paddle]

Hi, i'd be really grateful if anyone could possibly clear up some confusion that I have regarding a Stage 1 warning that was issued to me in 2012.


I was issued with a Stage 2 warning on 11 November 2010. This warning expired on 11 November 2011.
During this 12 month period, I had one period of sick leave totalling 4 days between 18 May - 21 May 2011.

This was sufficient to meet Royal Mail standards under the Attendance Procedure agreed with the CWU and under this agreement,
my record was clear again on 11 November 2011.

Between 16 November 2011 and 27 April 2012, I then incurred 3 absences totaling 9 days. Or so I thought.

I was told I had incurred 4 absences under the 'rolling' six month procedure, triggering a Stage 1 warning, although I maintained
I had only incurred 3 absences.

My manager told me the previous 18 May - 21 May 2011 absence had contributed towards my Stage 1 being triggered
but this absence was recorded previously while I was on the previous Stage 2 warning (11 November 2010 - 11 November 2011).

Please let there be a decent CWU rep or someone with a bit of common sense who can tell me how to work this out?
Were they trying it on with me?

Effectively they're punishing me twice for the same absence, both when I was on a Stage 2 and then contributing towards a Stage 1

[fishtank]

Although your stage triggers clear the absences contained within them do not.

18 May - 21 May 2011
and
3 absences between 16 November 2011 and 27 April 2012 means 4 absences in a 12 month period which triggers a stage 1.
Sorry mate.

[without_a_paddle]

Although your stage triggers clear the absences contained within them do not.

18 May - 21 May 2011
and
3 absences between 16 November 2011 and 27 April 2012 means 4 absences in a 12 month period which triggers a stage 1.
Sorry mate.

OK, no worries, thanks for your help, beginning to understand now ..!

[without_a_paddle]

Although your stage triggers clear the absences contained within them do not.

18 May - 21 May 2011
and
3 absences between 16 November 2011 and 27 April 2012 means 4 absences in a 12 month period which triggers a stage 1.
Sorry mate.

This company would be so much better to work for if they allowed you to serve your 'time' properly. In effect, once you've
completed a Stage 2 - and reached Royal Mail standards - you should start again from Year Zero, so that it should have
been four absences from 16th November in a 12 month period. Then it's fair.

[without_a_paddle]

Can I also ask what RM policy is regarding the incorrect recording of absences?

In 2009, I had Swine Flu, which I was prescribed Tamiflu for, and it was recorded by HR as 'Flu' which, over time, looks really nondescript.

In 2011, I had Viral Gastroenteritis, which was recorded by HR as 'Diarrhoea'. Again, looks nondescript.

In 2012, I had a dental abscess caused by a dentist cracking a tooth which left me with severe swelling and swollen glands, and on painkillers
and antibiotics. HR recorded it as 'Toothache'.

I have now triggered a Stage 3 and is there any way I can have these corrected? I have medical evidence to prove my illnesses, instead
of the generic 'dial-an-illness' nonsense that my manager reported to HR.

[fishtank]

I have now triggered a Stage 3 and is there any way I can have these corrected? I have medical evidence to prove my illnesses, instead
of the generic 'dial-an-illness' nonsense that my manager reported to HR.

As you have triggered a stage 3, a review of your entire sick absence will take place.
You will be able to call upon all written documentation regarding your absences including notes from stage interviews which should give a clearer,more detailed picture of the actual reasons for your absences.
Speak to your Area Rep.
He/She should be representing you at stage 3.

[Stormproof]

You should also be receiving a phonecall from an ATOS Dr who will discuss your previous absences. It may be worth while mentioning your illnesses then ie Swine Flu was caused by a pandemic. The managers will say that the list of illnesses on their computers does not specify for different varieties of illness........which tbh I don't believe, for example I had a knee op and my sick record just says knee pain

[Poorly]

Can I also ask what RM policy is regarding the incorrect recording of absences?

In 2009, I had Swine Flu, which I was prescribed Tamiflu for, and it was recorded by HR as 'Flu' which, over time, looks really nondescript.

In 2011, I had Viral Gastroenteritis, which was recorded by HR as 'Diarrhoea'. Again, looks nondescript.

In 2012, I had a dental abscess caused by a dentist cracking a tooth which left me with severe swelling and swollen glands, and on painkillers
and antibiotics. HR recorded it as 'Toothache'.

I have now triggered a Stage 3 and is there any way I can have these corrected? I have medical evidence to prove my illnesses, instead
of the generic 'dial-an-illness' nonsense that my manager reported to HR.

None of these will have been recorded by HR they will have been recorded by your manager, so it is probably laziness on his part. The absence descriptions are standard descriptions. I'd say tough on the flu description, it is still flu. I'm pretty sure that Gastroenteritis exists and Abscess also exists. Did you challenge these earlier? I would suggest that these are changed before the ATOS report is obtained, but as they are not DDA related, it probably won't make any difference to their report.

[UnhappyGremlin]

Might not be laziness on the part of the manager, may be a deliberate act, possibly part of a company wide management strategy, to record things under similar but lesser illnesses, to increase chances of conduct code cases/dismissals being successful. Try to make it look like staff are taking time off without good cause. Wouldn't put it past them, or be surprised.

[coxie]

I made the same mistake when I was new, cleared my stage and thought that was it not realising any sick still left in the last 12 months would still add on to any further absence. Don't worry you'll only make this mistake once.