LTB 127/20 - SICK ABSENCE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS - COVID 19 : Royal Mail "Vast majority of coronavirus absences to be discounted from the normal attendance procedure"

LaggyBand · Post by **LaggyBand** » 26 Apr 2020, 19:52

Yeah it’s weird, apparently when not issued is selected on PSP for Covid19s it resets it to zero...

Stagestar · Post by **Stagestar** » 09 May 2020, 13:39

I,m now having to go to a meeting over this, likely going to end in Stage 2 warning as "excessive" with manager saying only 7 days allowed for symptoms yourself, 14 for someone else. Still had temp and struggling for breath at 14, not physically capable of doing job until day 22. Can't get hold of union rep. Stuffed :-(

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 10 May 2020, 10:22

Stagestar wrote:I,m now having to go to a meeting over this, likely going to end in Stage 2 warning as "excessive" with manager saying only 7 days allowed for symptoms yourself, 14 for someone else. Still had temp and struggling for breath at 14, not physically capable of doing job until day 22. Can't get hold of union rep. Stuffed :-(

email your branch if you can't get hold of a local rep, you need them in there. They should give you a reasonable chance to have a witness be present, or for you to be represented.

lambert246 · Post by **lambert246** » 11 May 2020, 17:52

I am in a similar position. I had a second stage 2 rescinded in January with the manager saying it was the worst sickness absence they had ever seen and that if we met up again then he would be sacking me. Most of the last stage 3 absences were protected under the equality act and I had good representation from my area rep. I think they would have sacked me but had to weigh up the financial implications of medical retirement and the possible implications of an employment tribunal.
it's ironic this time that I am the only person in the office who has had the virus confirmed when I almost died in hospital with double pneumonia 18 days ago.
this still did not prevent my DOM from withholding my pay last week due to 'lack of communication', luckily I have made sure I only contact the DOM via email so i sent my rep the daily updates I have sent that directly contradict the specific dates they put in a letter, the same letter informing me that, as I have not fulfilled my obligations whilst sick then my sick pay is being withheld and that I could be in breach of contract for being 'absent without leave'.
I finally got the med3's and explained all along that my surgery were struggling with staff shortages and an increased workload.
I am personally doubtful whether the stage 3 will not be issued although I am not concerned. RM would be even stupider than they look if they were to try this one on. I will go to the papers and I will definitely go to tribunal.
i am still breathless and struggle to get up some days but I am returning to work this week. I will be slow but i am confident I can do it.
Union rep says I will get the sick pay back.
I know just what management are like but even I was amazed when i received that letter.
I have never known a manager to stoop quite that low and I have seen some low management stooping in my time!
P.S: There was no deep clean of our office when i informed my Dom that I was a confirmed Coronavirus case and that, without realising it (I didn't have a cough)I had been carrying the virus for 2-3 days whilst still at work.

FacesOfStone · Post by **FacesOfStone** » 13 May 2020, 19:31

Stagestar wrote:I,m now having to go to a meeting over this, likely going to end in Stage 2 warning as "excessive" with manager saying only 7 days allowed for symptoms yourself, 14 for someone else. Still had temp and struggling for breath at 14, not physically capable of doing job until day 22. Can't get hold of union rep. Stuffed :-(

That’s sick, and the sort of management that leads to people dying, be it someone in your position rushing back too soon or passing it on to someone else who ends up losing their life. Do not accept the stage if it’s issued and fight it all the way.

Stagestar · Post by **Stagestar** » 14 May 2020, 21:16

Meeting tomorrow, union rep coming. Wish me luck!

Stagestar · Post by **Stagestar** » 18 May 2020, 15:24

Surprise, surprise.. just been issued the AR2 warning. :-(

Post by **POSTMAN** » 08 Oct 2020, 15:35

I have recorded an employee on PSP as a confirmed Coronavirus case. The system has prompted me to raise an OH referral. Do I need to?

You do not have to submit an OH referral for a confirmed Coronavirus case. However, if the absence exceeds expected timescales or a return to work cannot be agreed, a referral may support you to understand your employee’s situation and/or highlight what adjustments can be made to support their return to work.

STITCH198 · Post by **STITCH198** » 01 Dec 2020, 16:05

sorry if this has been asked before

but i was meant to start on the 23rd november, as a christmas temp, however i was self isolating due having coronavirus, so would i still be paid as im off sick? or would i get nothing as i am just a temp?

Post by **POSTMAN** » 01 Dec 2020, 16:10

STITCH198 wrote: ↑
01 Dec 2020, 16:05
sorry if this has been asked before

but i was meant to start on the 23rd november, as a christmas temp, however i was self isolating due having coronavirus, so would i still be paid as im off sick? or would i get nothing as i am just a temp?

Very much doubt you would get paid mate, get well soon and good luck.

Robert64 · Post by **Robert64** » 24 Jan 2021, 10:25

Hi Unfortunately I have suffered from this awful virus struggling to breath and feeling very tired. I was shocked when having worked 45 hours plus per week for the past 4 years on a 25 hour contract I reverted back to my contracted hours for the two weeks I was off self isolating. Considering the massive contracts Royal Mail have acquired through this pandemic I thought they would do what is right and look after the people who have been going the extra mile during these challenging times. I am now in a position when last week I worked over 60 hours trying to recoup my loses whilst still suffering the effects. I am also very concerned that employees who test positive will have to carry on working for financial reasons.

Post by **fb1969** » 24 Jan 2021, 10:32

Robert64 wrote: ↑
24 Jan 2021, 10:25
Hi my name is Robert

I would remove the personal details from your post if I were you. Click on the pencil like symbol to edit it.

Post by **HTPostman** » 25 Jan 2021, 10:22

Don’t be shocked. RM won’t pay you’re actual worked hours when on annual leave and are due to fight it in court. So there’s no way they’d be charitable and pay the extra hours on sick leave. Hope you get back to full health anyway,

derkhead · Post by **derkhead** » 19 Feb 2021, 14:13

Does anyone know if covid absences are still discounted from the attendance procedure?

My colleague is off with covid and is concerned about triggering a stage 3.

Post by **aiden01** » 19 Feb 2021, 15:30

derkhead wrote: ↑
19 Feb 2021, 14:13
Does anyone know if covid absences are still discounted from the attendance procedure?

My colleague is off with covid and is concerned about triggering a stage 3.

Yes.

ROYALMAILCHAT