Need some advice about unauthorised absence.

Chrisp101

I had a hernia operation so was off work for three weeks to recover. I told my employer two months prior about the operation and showed them the relevant hospital notes. I made sure I phoned in everyday while I was off and had a mate drop the the sick note into work.

Everything seemed fine and got paid my sick pay. I then went back to work and had a return to work meeting and everything was fine.

Now two weeks later they have given me a letter for a review of absence, saying I have been off for three weeks unauthorised. I have produced all the correct paperwork and followed there process.

Should this absence be classed as authorised absence? Any help would be much appreciated.

Chris

Takeaway_Addict

Suspect the fit note is lost.

Try not to worry about it until you get all the facts.

Dox

Agree with the above answer. Classic HR screw up!

TELLIT01

Chrisp101 wrote: »

Should this absence be classed as authorised absence? Any help would be much appreciated.

Chris

It depends on the company, but I certainly wouldn't be worrying about it. You were hospitalised; operated on; had recovery time; provided sick notes, and contacted the company regularly. If there is anything more they believe you should, or could, have done I love to know what it is.


In my final employment, any absence was subject to review on return even with medical certificates. They have a duty of care and need to know if you are able to do your normal job immediately or if adjustments, temporary or permanent, are required.

agrinnall

My only concern would be whether your mate actually did hand in the fit note, and to the right person/department. If that didn't happen then your employer is probably right to query it, but you should be able to resolve it without too much difficulty.

Fireflyaway

I agree with the HR mistake. Years ago I came back from holiday to find my p45 on my doormat! The supervisor had forgotten to properly document my holiday request so when I didn't come in for a week they thought I was just skiving and they sacked me! Fortunately I had my copy of the paperwork at home so I was reinstated quickly!

Lincoln_Imp

!!!! up somewhere ,Being off for 3 weeks unauthorised would surely result in you being sacked

Who did you speak to when you phoned in everyday ? Although not sure why you phoned in everyday unless you were told to ..How long was the sick note for ?

Chrisp101

Thanks for advice guys. My hospital sick note was for 3 weeks, they give me a photocopy of the sick note because they needed the original.

We have a absence line so was told to phone in everyday which was a bit annoying but rather follow their process.

When I originally went back to work I had a back to work meeting and they was happy with everything.

Then two weeks later we have been told they are getting rid of 250 people dependent on skill set/absence.

The next day I received a letter saying my absence was unauthorised.

I have worked there for 3 and years and never been sick or late until I had my operation.

I’m worried they are trying to get rid of me.

Marcon

Chrisp101 wrote: »

I’m worried they are trying to get rid of me.

Of course you're worried - but they certainly can't use 'unauthorised absence' as a pretext for doing so, even if you're in the firing line (and there's no evidence you are).

If HR has this sort of major task on their hands, they are likely to mess up other things, which is what it sounds like in your case.

ReadingTim

Chrisp101 wrote: »

I’m worried they are trying to get rid of me.

Suspect this is a case of Hanlon's razor to be honest OP

Comms69

Chrisp101 wrote: »

Thanks for advice guys. My hospital sick note was for 3 weeks, they give me a photocopy of the sick note because they needed the original.

We have a absence line so was told to phone in everyday which was a bit annoying but rather follow their process.

When I originally went back to work I had a back to work meeting and they was happy with everything.

Then two weeks later we have been told they are getting rid of 250 people dependent on skill set/absence.

The next day I received a letter saying my absence was unauthorised.

I have worked there for 3 and years and never been sick or late until I had my operation.

I’m worried they are trying to get rid of me.

Uhm... I've never heard of a photocopy being given. I've never heard of hospitals or GPs keeping an original.


Usually the details are simply put on the patient records.