Possible Stage 3

[doorstepped]

I have been off work since dec 28th with a serious chest infection made worse by Asthma and previously having Pnumonia a few years ago.

I will be going back on Friday so a 9 day sickness absence.

in November I was off for a few days after slipping on a wet mossy path whilst in shorts and badly grazing my shin and calf and twisting my knee, this was all dealt with via ERICA.

I have been told that my latest absence will result in a stage 3 warning being issued against me.

as one of the absences was due to an injury at work, will I have a stage 3 interview etc and do I have a good case to argue against my dismissal if they go that route.

its all only surmising at the minute but I would like to be prepared if the worse was to happen.

Cheers

[keithposty]

you will still have the stage 3

there is no stage 3 warning
its not an interview but a proceedure to see if they are going to sack you

a stage 2 interview should not have been issued if it was an accident on duty so use that

with any stage 3 interview you need the area rep to be in attendance

[doorstepped]

I was issued a stage 2 in early July and have had no other time off other than that stated in my previous post.

the way I see it is I have had a 9 day illness ( in itself not enough to trigger a stage 3 if I am correct ) and a few day injury at work absence so I will fight my case on that basis with the help of my local area rep ( don't have a rep in our office anymore, he quit in October )

I did offer to go in on light duties on my first day of sickness but was told that we have no indoor work to do etc, which is fair enough but I could have still gone in at 6.15 and throw in a round or two ( I am on a 25 hour contract and have been so for almost 3 years with another year at full time before I was busted down to PT )

[clashcityrocker]

I have been off work since dec 28th with a serious chest infection made worse by Asthma and previously having Pnumonia a few years ago.

Asthma and any illness exacerbated by the condition should be covered by the Equality Act and as such should not be used to issue stage warnings.
Disability Discrimination is a big issue.
What medication do you use (reliever or preventer) and have you had your flu jab?

[doorstepped]

Ventolin and Seritide inhalors and yes I have had my flu jab.

I will use the DDA if I need to as I have seen a few posts on it in the forums.

[clashcityrocker]

You do need to.
The "disability" is ongoing and you can only function on a daily basis by using medication.
I presume Seritide is a steroid preventer.
The fact you have had your flu jab shows how seriously you take your condition and you are doing everything possible to control the condition.

Asthma is covered under the DDA but so is every illness connected to it. The fact is asthmatics are more prone to chest/throat infections.
Was a stage issued on the back of the pneumonia absence?

[doorstepped]

you are correct on the seritide.

I had pnumonia around 15 years ago long before I worked for RM but I have still got a dark patch on my left lung from it and will always have it, this is the first instance I have suffered with my asthma whilst working for RM and in fact the first chest infection I have had for over 10 years. There is a lot of it about at the moment.

[Oldham600]

Please do make sure you use the DDA for your long term illness as it can help you keep your job as it did with me on appeal. If your area rep is any good the RTU interview will end very quickly in your favour as protocol hasnt been followed in your previous stage warnings, did they ask you to speak to ATOS Origin about your long term illness as its causing you problems at work? if not then they dont have a leg to stand on basically.

Good Luck.