Attendance Review from covid, allowed?

[cheerful]

I’ve been a postie for years, this is my first time having an attendance review.

I was sick with a throat infection, had 3 days off (really two, since there was a set day), was prescribed antibiotics and returned to work.

Felt absolutely rubbish, couldn’t eat solid food, but it was the run up to xmas, and my manager is usually pretty good, so I came in and worked.

2 posties working near me were off with covid. I shared a frame / van with multiple other posties during this week.

6 days after getting the antibiotics I got covid (from work), hit me really hard, I’m guessing my immune system was still busy with the throat infection (I’ve had the booster).

I was off with covid for 14 days (over xmas, so much less in working days).

Testing positive and feeling terrible all the way through. Heart pounding and short of breath when I returned to work.

I’ve been given a Stage 1, for exceeding the 10 day government guidelines.

Except the government guidelines said if you’re still testing positive and feeling unwell after 10 days to seek medical advice (I phoned 119, but they were pretty useless, they just told me to “seek medical advice”, which is what I was trying to do. At that point I was feeling slightly better each day, so didn’t bother pestering my GP).

Can I get the Stage 1 nullified? I’ve never had any attendance problems at any workplace, and don’t like the idea of this forever being on my record.

This was during “Plan B”, where the government was recommending work from home / social distancing, but I hadn’t seen any changes in our office.

[POSTMAN]

Will absences due to coronavirus be counted within the attendance procedure?

Answer: We would expect the vast majority of coronavirus absences to be discounted from the normal attendance procedure. However, in the event coronavirus absences are for an excessive duration or repeat in nature further investigation may be required.


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"

Get your rep on to it, your area rep, you should not have been given the stage, period.

It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low life ***** they have always been.

[cheerful]

Thank you.

I'll talk to my union rep.

My only other covid isolation I've done was at the very start of covid, because my partner caught it (in March 2020, in her work it's impossible to avoid it, new starters get it within weeks).

I'd be a bit miffed if they counted my 14 day covid absence as 4 day absence (knocking off the 10 that I was 'allowed'), but I'm really miffed they are counting the full thing, especially when I caught it at work.

I was presented with the form and stupidly signed it while grumbling and trying to rush out. The form states "There is no right of appeal against this decision", but I'd imagine that's rubbish. There is always a right of appeal, whether it's through the union, ACAS, an MP, a solicitor or the media.

Did signing the form wreck my changes at getting this sorted?

[Haditup]

Any sick absence related to Covid infection should be discounted .An attendance review will be triggered but your manager should amend it.

[POSTMAN]

I was presented with the form and stupidly signed it while grumbling and trying to rush out. The form states "There is no right of appeal against this decision", but I'd imagine that's rubbish. There is always a right of appeal, whether it's through the union, ACAS, an MP, a solicitor or the media.

Unfortunately there is NO right of appeal in Royal Mail, it's in your (ALL OPG''S) terms and conditions, ACAS has nothing to do with it.
As previously said it's wrong, keep pushing.

[CharlesG]

Moral of this story : Always bring your union representative to your Attendance Reviews

[midegarelu]

Moral of this story : Always bring your union representative to your Attendance Reviews

Some people will never learn.

Never converse with a snake unless you have a charmer with you.

[daveyeff]

as Postman has pointed out there is no right of appeal, if it it gets to stage 3 then thats when all the s**t decisions from the lino/DOM will be brought to bear and it will be quashed at this stage. but tbh it doesn't stand much chance of being overturned. it is crap. but most of us have been there. this is why quite a few posties who know how the system works ''play it'' to their own advantage, and in my opinion rightly so. 2 can play their game. murderers and rapists are entitled to an appeal but not RM staff. it f***ing stinks.

[Acca Dacca]

as Postman has pointed out there is no right of appeal, if it it gets to stage 3 then thats when all the s**t decisions from the lino/DOM will be brought to bear and it will be quashed at this stage. but tbh it doesn't stand much chance of being overturned. it is crap. but most of us have been there. this is why quite a few posties who know how the system works ''play it'' to their own advantage, and in my opinion rightly so. 2 can play their game. murderers and rapists are entitled to an appeal but not RM staff. it f***ing stinks.

Only a fool would try and ''play the system'' given nobody knows what is around the corner when it comes to their health

[aiden01]

as Postman has pointed out there is no right of appeal, if it it gets to stage 3 then thats when all the s**t decisions from the lino/DOM will be brought to bear and it will be quashed at this stage. but tbh it doesn't stand much chance of being overturned. it is crap. but most of us have been there. this is why quite a few posties who know how the system works ''play it'' to their own advantage, and in my opinion rightly so. 2 can play their game. murderers and rapists are entitled to an appeal but not RM staff. it f***ing stinks.

So you think its right to abuse the system but those who dont deserve the same treatment. btw know quite a few who have said they know how the systemem works guess where they are now ???? an a few of them had lost a mum or dad so just to abuse the system imho is quite sad.

[daveyeff]

I know plenty of posties who play the system simply because the gaffers abuse their right to issue stages willy nilly. Knowing full well there is no right of appeal....so even if that gaffer makes a wrong decision, you cant appeal so the decision stands. Some of those gaffers who issue stages at the drop of a hat, wear it like a badge of honour and ive heard them bragging about the fact. So in my opinion they deserve all they get when a postie phones in sick after being treat with such contempt. Swings and roundabouts. The posties i personally know have been doing it for 35 years plus. They're still here.