Sickness Policy

[Ashley’s]

I was off from October 2023 until January 2023 due to a bereavement. I went back to work end of January 2023 and received my RTW I was not issued any stages & did not have any sickness until 2 weeks ago when I was off for 5 days with tonsillitis. I received my RTW and yesterday I received my letter notifying me that I had been issued with a stage 1. I don’t know much about the absence policy and I was looking for some help with this. Does this sound right that I was issued with a stage 1? Any help is appreciated.

[Mickeybrowneyes]

I was off from October 2023 until January 2023 due to a bereavement. I went back to work end of January 2023 and received my RTW I was not issued any stages & did not have any sickness until 2 weeks ago when I was off for 5 days with tonsillitis. I received my RTW and yesterday I received my letter notifying me that I had been issued with a stage 1. I don’t know much about the absence policy and I was looking for some help with this. Does this sound right that I was issued with a stage 1? Any help is appreciated.

Yes unfortunately you would have triggered a stage.
Although the new policy kicked in after August they are going back twelve months now when you go sick.
You have had more than twelve days off in the last twelve month period so you automatically trigger a stage.
It is a unforgiving policy now as it goes back twelve months not six.
If you were off in February you wouldn't have triggered.
You can appeal a stage 1/2 now if you wish.

[nutcracker]

OP were you off sick oct 2022 to jan 23? Or oct 2023 to jan 24?

If the first instance I think this should have triggered a stage which would last 12 months which should then be cleared roughly now?

Does anyone have a copy of the new attendance procedure to see how many more days abscence prolong the stage? From memory the 5 days in the stage period would not be enough?

[Wat69]

I have attached the new sickness standards it’s very easy to accelerate through the stages

[Ashley’s]

I was off due to a bereavement from October 22 - January 23. I didn’t get put on any attendance stages when I returned on January 23 and I haven’t been off since apart from 2 weeks ago due to tonsillitis.

[Ashley’s]

I was off due to a bereavement from October 22 - January 23. I didn’t get put on any attendance stages when I returned on January 23 and I haven’t been off since apart from 2 weeks ago due to tonsillitis and this was for 5 days.

[nutcracker]

Looking at the attendance agreement the difference between a 4 and 5 day absence while on a stage can mean being on the stage process is prolonged by 6 months.

Does it say how long in your letter your on a stage for?
Might be best for you to speak to a rep?

[Ashley’s]

12 months I will remain on stage 1. Spoke to a union rep but as he is new to the role he didn’t know too much about it.

[Sean06]

12 months I will remain on stage 1. Spoke to a union rep but as he is new to the role he didn’t know too much about it.

Spoke to a rep about this an they said should not be on a stage 1 as you have had only 5 days sick.they think psp has automatically issued the stage as you were off for a few months with bereavement.might need to get a more experienced rep involved good luck.

[gerardy]

What date in January 23 did you return back to work as the rolling 12 months will include that

[Mickeybrowneyes]

12 months I will remain on stage 1. Spoke to a union rep but as he is new to the role he didn’t know too much about it.

Spoke to a rep about this an they said should not be on a stage 1 as you have had only 5 days sick.they think psp has automatically issued the stage as you were off for a few months with bereavement.might need to get a more experienced rep involved good luck.

The way I read it is he had more than twelve days off work in the last twelve months so it was within the attendance review procedure to issue him with a stage. It is done automatically now.
You can appeal stage one and two now though and I would suggest he has a good case if it was because of bereavement.

[Sean06]

12 months I will remain on stage 1. Spoke to a union rep but as he is new to the role he didn’t know too much about it.

Spoke to a rep about this an they said should not be on a stage 1 as you have had only 5 days sick.they think psp has automatically issued the stage as you were off for a few months with bereavement.might need to get a more experienced rep involved good luck.

The way I read it is he had more than twelve days off work in the last twelve months so it was within the attendance review procedure to issue him with a stage. It is done automatically now.
You can appeal stage one and two now though and I would suggest he has a good case if it was because of bereavement.

Well thats more or less what i posted rep saying bereavement should'nt count hence why only 5 days sick.