Manager doubting absence is genuine.

weakerthan · Post by **weakerthan** » 24 Jun 2019, 19:10

Am off work with stress (work related). Have had a couple of letters inviting me to interviews and threatening to stop my sick pay as she is ‘unable to satisfy herself that my absence is necessary and due to a genuine illness’. I’m covered by a fitnote from my GP.

I thought all absences had to be treated at genuine? Is this a stock letter they send out to everyone off sick or is she overstepping any boundaries here? Thankyou

Post by **rogersh** » 24 Jun 2019, 19:49

http://www.cwu-e4.co.uk/Attendance%20pr ... %20etc.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This link may help in clarifying the procedure, if you have not read it.
As you say; Extract from policy;
• All sickness absences are assumed to be genuine and should be discussed between the employee and the manager on return to work

number one · Post by **number one** » 24 Jun 2019, 21:05

Tell her she has a duty of care for her employees and her behaviour with regards to threatening to stop your pay falls below that standard.
You feel that she is contributing towards you illness of stress and you will be in touch once your sick note has lapsed, this could be to submit a further sick note

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 24 Jun 2019, 21:15

In all seriousness kick this upstairs to Area and watch them tear her a new arsehole.
Get them to remind her that she doesn't need to satisfy herself that your illness is genuine as professionals far more qualified than a failed postie have verified it already.

You are under NO OBLIGATION to attend their meetings if you're not well enough. I'm sure this unwarranted attempt to undermine the sickness procedure is causing you to feel worse and the very thought of attending an unlicensed quacks medical examination is making it more unlikely that you will return any time soon.

weakerthan · Post by **weakerthan** » 24 Jun 2019, 22:11

I’ve agreed to a meeting on Wednesday with the union area rep and apparently a ‘neutral’ hr manager as I said I didn’t feel up to meeting with her after everything that’s happened.

Would really prefer to not go to any meeting as she hasn’t contacted me in the last 6 weeks except to send threatening letters so not sure why it’s suddenly imperative I attend a meeting to prove myself.

I requested an OH assist referral a few weeks ago but apparently HR ‘rejected’ it (but she failed to inform me of this).

Honestly this DOM is a car crash.

Post by **patrickstar14** » 25 Jun 2019, 05:04

I am aware of a colleague where a GP has written no contact in a letter to the employer and on their fit note.
The senior manager has respected the decision and has only allowed contact by the union rep once a week with the employee and this is sufficient.
If this is mental health, forcing someone to attend a face to face is outrageous if it makes things worse.

shakapaw · Post by **shakapaw** » 25 Jun 2019, 09:24

Give acas a ring.I had a similar issue and was told there is nothing in employment law that requires you to attend a face to face meeting. If you are covered by a fit note that is the law.

Post by **hothothot** » 25 Jun 2019, 09:56

This is common in royal mail , so don't take it personally. I had exactly the same thing happen to me I got my area rep involved straight away , they then left me alone. I went back to work 4 months later they didn't even put me on a stage one amazingly. Management didn't speak to me for about a year. Happy days.