Disciplinary due to self-isolation?

barbarawright

I have to interview all my team if they are off sick from work. 99% of the time it's complete routine but basically it's because it's harder for  regular skivers to fib face to face - so much easier to ring up with a brave voice or get someone else to ring up. You'll be fine - a bad cold is a legitimate reason for taking time off 

SundaySundaay

Hasbeen said:

SundaySundaay said:

Hi there, 
I recently had a bad cold, so had to get a Covid test and self isolate while waiting for the results. This was advised after contacting 111. Luckily the test was negative. But I had to take 2 days off work for this. Anyway, my work are classing this as a normal absence and I am having to go to an absence hearing due to this (I was off last year due to dental issues and a subsequent operation) but this seems highly unfair to be punished for following this advice. I also feel now at risk that if I had another cold (or Covid!) I could potentially get fired. Does anyone know if this is actually legal? There doesn’t seem to be anything legally protecting people from this. I feel very mistreated as I work like a horse, and I would not usually be off for something like a cold! Any advice would be very appreciated as I’m very worried.

It is perfectly normal to have a "Return to Work" interview after an absence.

You are not being punished.

It is not a disciplinary interview.

It is perfectly legal it is to safeguard both yourself and the company to ensure that you are fit to resume work.

I assume that this is your first job?   If you are worried take a Union Rep in with you, if there is one?

It’s not my first job, no. I’ve worked for nearly 20 years. But it will be triggering a disciplinary hearing due to previous absence. I’ve never had to go through anything like this. I really don’t know what will happen until I have the meeting I guess, it may just be a formality.  But I am quite sure they will treat it as any other absence as they are rather cold like that which is a shame really. Oh well. I hope there will be something to protect workers eventually 

SundaySundaay

unholyangel said:

Have they specifically told you it's a disciplinary, what the outcome could be and that you have the right to take someone with you? 

If not, it's likely just a "back to work" chat and nothing to be worried about. 

Yes it is a disciplinary. I will likely get the letter for the meeting next week and if I can take someone. It’s not a return to work chat, I had that and then was told I will have a disciplinary hearing soon 

Thrugelmir

SundaySundaay said:

unholyangel said:

Have they specifically told you it's a disciplinary, what the outcome could be and that you have the right to take someone with you? 

If not, it's likely just a "back to work" chat and nothing to be worried about. 

Yes it is a disciplinary. I will likely get the letter for the meeting next week and if I can take someone. It’s not a return to work chat, I had that and then was told I will have a disciplinary hearing soon 

Is your absence from work history poor? 

Hasbeen

SundaySundaay said:

unholyangel said:

Have they specifically told you it's a disciplinary, what the outcome could be and that you have the right to take someone with you? 

If not, it's likely just a "back to work" chat and nothing to be worried about. 

Yes it is a disciplinary. I will likely get the letter for the meeting next week and if I can take someone. It’s not a return to work chat, I had that and then was told I will have a disciplinary hearing soon 

Ah. Sorry OP  Misread / not clear from your opening post.

"Anyway, my work are classing this as a normal absence and I am having to go to an absence hearing due to this"

But you have actually been told definitely a disciplinary hearing?

You said you were last off with dental issues last year?  Here any absence we ignore after 6 months, if no further absence in that time period.

Obviously different in your circumstances.

What is your attendance record? Any other absence since then even single days / other days off this year?

Have you received any "verbal" written warnings before this?

What was said at the return to work chat that you had? What reason was given for further disciplinary meeting?
I would assume they must have given indication? to much sickness / absence / random days off / anything?

Do you have union representation to attend this disciplinary meeting with you? even a trusted work colleague if not? 

I would say by your posts that this would be treated as a formality. Basically to make a record, on your file. 

Would not worry about it, unless your absence becomes a regular occurrence after this. 

superbigal

Surely your work will have issued you with guidance once they went through all the covid risk assesment for the workplace and employees.
What was that ?

Barny1979

I presume your absence has triggered a Bradford Score?