Straight to formal attendance review

[clarhick]

I had a sickness absence in September had welcome back meeting, all ok. I was absent again the first week of February. I returned to work 06/02/23 and finally had my welcome back meeting on Thursday 09/02/23, usual things said, no complaints or concerns raised from either side. No mention of informal review discussions, staged warnings or formal procedures - a standard return to work meeting. On Friday 10/02/23 I drop my keys and vehicle back to be greeted by a letter addressed to me propped up in the traffic office. The letter is an invitation to a formal attendance review. Reading the attendance policy it says “informal review discussions may take place at any time before the formal procedure where there is concern about an employees attendance”
Do managers just make it up as they go along? Is going straight to a formal review normal? What is the point of having the policy if it’s ignored? Any advice?

[DirtyHarry]

If you're in the union, get your area rep on to it pronto.

[clarhick]

Hopefully they can get me someone from another location, they’re all suspended from my mail centre.

[heraldmoth]

This was all talked about before, any sickness is now not followed by a simple return to work it’s an attendance review. Also failing to scan in scan out is also to result in conduct.

[clarhick]

This was all talked about before, any sickness is now not followed by a simple return to work it’s an attendance review. Also failing to scan in scan out is also to result in conduct.

Do you know when it changed?

[heraldmoth]

In around the time they stopped paying sick leave, it’s not official policy but it’s what’s being pushed from above.

[heraldmoth]

Pretty sure if you can stand over your absence it’s only a formality

[Eduardo]

What's involved in a formal attendance review?

[jbo5066]

You go in, have a chat about why you were off, then they put you on a stage ...

[Beancounter]

You go in, have a chat about why you were off, then they put you on a stage ...

With absolutely no right to an appeal either.