Absent levels

[Deleted User]

Need opinions on this wording from my employer on what triggers an absent review meeting. 

The absence review level is 3% of your contractual working hours or three separate occasions of sickness absence in any rolling 26 week rolling period.  

I'm not one for taking time off work (off twice in 10 years between 2 employers). I have always known about the 3 separate occasions in 6 month period throughout my working life. But that first line about 3% is confusing me and just wondering how you read it. 

(oh my contractual hours are 15 hours a week)

JGB1955

I would read it as 3% of your annual hours - 23 hours 24 minutes in your case.

Thrugelmir

JGB1955 said:

I would read it as 3% of your annual hours - 23 hours 24 minutes in your case.

Review is rolling 26 week period, so would be around 50% of that level in any 26 week period. 

[Deleted User]

Thrugelmir said:

JGB1955 said:

I would read it as 3% of your annual hours - 23 hours 24 minutes in your case.

Review is rolling 26 week period, so would be around 50% of that level in any 26 week period. 

damn that does sound tight. so someone working full time could only have around 29 hours off in a 6 month period which could  mean one absent of 4 days triggers a meeting

Im already screwed for this potential frozen shoulder thats put me into 15 hours so far 

theoretica

It is about 1.5 weeks a year.  If 3 separate absences of a day trigger a meeting it isn't out of proportion for one or two longer one to do so too.  At least in my work the meetings are just that - a meeting to work out if there is a cause for concern, not a horrible thing to avoid at all cost.

[Deleted User]

theoretica said:

It is about 1.5 weeks a year.  If 3 separate absences of a day trigger a meeting it isn't out of proportion for one or two longer one to do so too.  At least in my work the meetings are just that - a meeting to work out if there is a cause for concern, not a horrible thing to avoid at all cost.

Well yea and no. like I always prided myself in those types of meetings not being triggered. Yes those meetings can be used to see if they can help but the policy also contains the disciplinary action that can happen if such meetings are triggered. 

Jillanddy

Deleted_User said:

Thrugelmir said:

JGB1955 said:

I would read it as 3% of your annual hours - 23 hours 24 minutes in your case.

Review is rolling 26 week period, so would be around 50% of that level in any 26 week period. 

damn that does sound tight. so someone working full time could only have around 29 hours off in a 6 month period which could  mean one absent of 4 days triggers a meeting

Im already screwed for this potential frozen shoulder thats put me into 15 hours so far 

Not that extraordinary though - I'm public sector (who always get told we have such great terms) and our first trigger is 9 days in any 12 months period (or three separate occasions). But as @theoretica suggested, the first one is often more about whether there is anything more the employer can do, considering whether there is something underlying the absence that they can support with, etc, rather than a "punishment". Although, to be fair, it still counts towards an ultimate dismissal if the absences continue beyond what the employer will sustain. But at a stage one (and a lot depends on the type and size of the employer) in something like you are describing, our employer might suggest a referral to occupational health, because they have physiotherapists available to support staff and that might help the shoulder and get someone back to work. 

At this stage I wouldn't think of yourself as "screwed" - I'd be thinking what could my employer possibly do to help me back to work and preparing to discuss that with them.

Brie

Use the meeting as an opportunity to discuss what reasonable adjustments you need to ensure you don't need more time off.  

[Deleted User]

Jillanddy said:

Deleted_User said:

Thrugelmir said:

JGB1955 said:

I would read it as 3% of your annual hours - 23 hours 24 minutes in your case.

Review is rolling 26 week period, so would be around 50% of that level in any 26 week period. 

damn that does sound tight. so someone working full time could only have around 29 hours off in a 6 month period which could  mean one absent of 4 days triggers a meeting

Im already screwed for this potential frozen shoulder thats put me into 15 hours so far 

Not that extraordinary though - I'm public sector (who always get told we have such great terms) and our first trigger is 9 days in any 12 months period (or three separate occasions). But as @theoretica suggested, the first one is often more about whether there is anything more the employer can do, considering whether there is something underlying the absence that they can support with, etc, rather than a "punishment". Although, to be fair, it still counts towards an ultimate dismissal if the absences continue beyond what the employer will sustain. But at a stage one (and a lot depends on the type and size of the employer) in something like you are describing, our employer might suggest a referral to occupational health, because they have physiotherapists available to support staff and that might help the shoulder and get someone back to work. 

At this stage I wouldn't think of yourself as "screwed" - I'd be thinking what could my employer possibly do to help me back to work and preparing to discuss that with them.

oh I meant screwed as in the meeting is triggered as I said I have prided myself in never having those meetings in my long working life even though I have had maybe 4 occasions time off that would fall under the policy that your employer and my current one has

[Deleted User]

Brie said:

Use the meeting as an opportunity to discuss what reasonable adjustments you need to ensure you don't need more time off.  

Oh I will. Just need to see Dr first to see what advice and plan they will have in mind 

JGB1955

Jillanddy said:

Not that extraordinary though - I'm public sector (who always get told we have such great terms) and our first trigger is 9 days in any 12 months period (or three separate occasions). 

Things have obviously tightened up since my Civil Service days in the 1980s.... we used to be reminded if we hadn't 'taken' our '2 weeks sick leave' every year!