Diabetic - Long Term Absence - Attendance Meeting?

[jimmy1976]

Hi there,


I'm hoping someone can really help me out with this one.

I have basically been off work sick for around 4 weeks.

I have covered all my absences with up to date Doctor's/Sick Notes.

I am a Type 2 Diabetic, for over five years and it looks given my symptoms, I will eventually become Type 1 due to my pancreas packing up.

So, I'm currently not feeling very well!

My office where I have worked for over fifteen years is requesting that I attend an informal attendance meeting with my manager to discuss my problems.

I have already informed them I am not well enough to attend but they proceed to invite me. I asked them, what can they discuss in an on site meeting that they can't ask me over the phone!?

Where do I legally stand with this? Can they force me to to attend a meeting? I'm worried that if I go on site, they will suggest that I am well enough to do light duties for a few hours.

Also, does a Royal Manager have any right to come to your home to hold a absence discussion?

I really need time to be allowed to get better.


Many thanks in advance!

Jim.

[hothothot]

They can invite you for an attendance meeting but if your to sick to attend that's Thier tough shite. I always used to invite them to my home for the meeting and insist they bring your union rep with them , they have always declined my offer but if the Dom took it up make him a nice cup of tea and piss in it. Then sit there with a nice big smile.

[Sir Henry]

Keep a diary of their actions, keep your rep updated too. As long as you are keeping in touch with the management they can dangle for their 'informal meeting" Nowt in any agreement that says you must attend and if you're not feeling well enough any stress or over exertion could set you back. Involve your Union if they start trying to pressure you.

[number one]

It’s informal and no you dont have to attend. You still have to “keep in touch” but if YOU say to them I will phone you near to when my sick note is due to end to inform you if I am submitting another one then they should leave you alone. If they phone you every day after that them it could become harassment. Nobody can “force” you to do anything. Hope things get better for you and try and rest.

[ballsup]

Page 8 of the attendance agreement

Long term absence
Review meetings At specific points in an ongoing absence, the manager will meet with the employee and if the employee wishes their representative to review the situation and clarify the next steps. The employee will be encouraged and supported to return to work as soon as practicable. A return to work plan will be agreed with the objective of enabling a return to full duties as quickly as possible. This may include short term work modifications when these are necessary and will normally last for between one and four weeks, but may continue beyond this period where appropriate. The employee’s progress will be monitored by the manager and discussed with the employee and where the employee wishes their representative. To achieve timely resolution both Royal Mail and CWU aim to see absences resolved in line with these timescales:

Day 28 review • By this stage of the absence the employee and manager should have met face to face, if at all possible. Discussion should focus on any support that can be provided to help a return to work as early as possible. If not completed earlier, a referral for Occupational Health advice should normally be arranged at this point, unless an early return to work is anticipated.

[rehabron]

Hi there,


I'm hoping someone can really help me out with this one.

I have basically been off work sick for around 4 weeks.

I have covered all my absences with up to date Doctor's/Sick Notes.

I am a Type 2 Diabetic, for over five years and it looks given my symptoms, I will eventually become Type 1 due to my pancreas packing up.

So, I'm currently not feeling very well!

My office where I have worked for over fifteen years is requesting that I attend an informal attendance meeting with my manager to discuss my problems.

I have already informed them I am not well enough to attend but they proceed to invite me. I asked them, what can they discuss in an on site meeting that they can't ask me over the phone!?

Where do I legally stand with this? Can they force me to to attend a meeting? I'm worried that if I go on site, they will suggest that I am well enough to do light duties for a few hours.

Also, does a Royal Manager have any right to come to your home to hold a absence discussion?

I really need time to be allowed to get better.


Many thanks in advance!

Jim.

You can insist on an OH Assist referral to discuss your illness and your manager is penny pinching if he hasn't done that already due to the costs of Occupational Health referrals.
HR Services is currrently acting as an interface for OH Assist depending on the absence medical condition but you emphaise the fact that you want your referral to OH Assist.

Managers are setting up their own rehabilitation plans but they are not medical experts.
In relation to informal meeting requests that is their entitlement but only if acceptable to you and you are well enough to attend the meeting. If you have been invited to attend work for a meeting in writing then you should reply back to the sender in writing that you are not fit to attend but will remain in weekly contact as the managing long term absence states giving an up to date progress on your condition.
The new attendance procedure was introduced to target managers making house calls some even on an absence of 24 hours to put a stop to this practice but once again management are interpretating the agreement to their own advantage.

It has been known for mangement to pressurise the absentee with stoppage of wages but ensure you remain in contact preferably by e-mail, text or letter so that your actions can be substantiated.

[rubberbond]

You don't become type 1 , you become an Insulin dependent type 2. That aside , they only want to meet with you because they are paying you and want something in return for that, which obviously if you're unwell you can't do. They will of course point out that they want to help you back to work, which is ironic considering if they left you alone you would be back sooner. Insist on getting them to refer you to OH Assist , as you're protected under legislation and then you can lay it on thick.

[jimmy1976]

Thank you all for your help and responses.

I realise this is a little belated.

All very helpful and welcome.

Thanks again,

Jim.

[k979aaa]

Thank you all for your help and responses.

I realise this is a little belated.

All very helpful and welcome.

Thanks again,

Jim.

Don't worry about it the most important thing is YOU the managers need staff in as they are leaving left right and centre because of their culture of bonuses earned by us for them don't come back till your well enough and good luck jimmy1976.