question about sickness

newcook

Hi all!

Im not normally over on this board so be gentle!!

where I work, every 6 months or so we receive a memo with attendance records showing who has 100% and also listing how many days off sick a person has had – are they allowed to do this?!

I could understand if it was a personalized one that said ‘these people have had not had a sick day this year’ and listed them and then went on to say ‘and you have had X days off sick’, but ours actually gives a list of the persons name and how many days they have had off sick (doesn’t matter what the sickness was for – one person had a heart-attack the other year and had a few weeks off recovering)

Hope you can help!!

newcook

just bumping!!

SarEl

I am struggling to think of a reason why they can't. It doesn't strike me as very good management, but I cannot see that it falls under the DPA as they are not disclosing personal data (such as why someone was off sick).Have you asked the Data Commissioner what their view on this is?

C_Mababejive

This sounds like very poor practice to me...have you spoken to your union..?

newcook

Thanks for the replies.

we dont have a union

I havent spoke to the Data Commissioner yet but will give them a tinkle!


thanks again!!

pinkshoes

A company I worked at also did this.

I had quite a bit of time off with kidney infections, but to be honest, I don't see what the issue is, as it was only stating the obvious! It's not like they were stating personal details like your bra size or salary!!!

an9i77

Agree with SarEl that I don't think they are breaking any laws, however it's certainly poor practice and I'm suprised that someone hasn't already said they're not happy with their sickness record being shared in this way. Perhaps they're using this name and shame technique to make people feel embarrassed about taking time off but I think there are better ways to encourage attendance! Perhaps if a number of you are not happy with it and can approach your manager /HR then they may have a rethink? I think if just one person complains then not much will happen and you may just look like a trouble maker but if a number of people come together to raise it as an issue (informally at first and not in an aggressive or confrontational way, no point raising any grievances or such like at this point) then they may have to look into it.

Bobl

This happens where I work and has done for many years, it is definitely a way of highlighting persistent absence. The only people who complain about it are the slackers.

Uncertain

Bobl wrote: »

This happens where I work and has done for many years, it is definitely a way of highlighting persistent absence. The only people who complain about it are the slackers.

Persistent absence and slacking are not always the same thing!

C_Mababejive

newcook wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

we dont have a union

I havent spoke to the Data Commissioner yet but will give them a tinkle!


thanks again!!

Perhaps you should all consider joining one and then your employer would feel less confident in bullying you in this rather covert manner.

newcook

Bobl wrote: »

This happens where I work and has done for many years, it is definitely a way of highlighting persistent absence. The only people who complain about it are the slackers.

Im far from a slacker - I've had 1 day sick in the last 5 years. I just felt it was rather unfair for those who have had no choice but to be off sick to be named and shamed.