AIBU to involve a union rep for a formal absence review?

[Zombieof3]

hi all,

I have recently been off work unwell with my mental health, to the point where I was actively quite suicidal. There was zero way I could do this job whilst being that unwell.

I have now gone back to work and I have been handed a formal absence review, which I knew was coming as I’ve had a few instances of being off work either unwell or caring for my unwell child. I have a union rep, I have never used them but I’m wondering if I should at this point, my work have previously been quite quick to sever people’s contract but then I don’t want to make myself a target for management to dislike me by involving the union.

what would you do?

I would definitely contact your union and ask them for their advice and whether they would usually attend these sorts of meetings. You’re paying them for their expertise. If your work are quick to sever contracts, that’s more reason to involve the union in my opinion.

I would strongly advise you to take a union representative with you, particularly if your work are known to sever contracts!

Also, read the policy on absence procedures and make sure the union have a copy prior to the meeting.

There should be a process and stages before it gets to terminating someone's contract?

Best of luck!

Please do, it’s what they’re there for and what you are paying for. Someone should be able to give you some basic advice over the phone be it your branch or a rep. As a pp said, make sure you look over the absence policy in advance of the meeting and send it to whoever is going to accompany you in advance too.

Yes definitely. They will have seen this situation before and be able to speak authoritatively on your behalf. Also your company will be loath to antagonize him/her/the Union. Good working relations are vital to a happy, functioning company. The rep will give you confidence too, of course. Invaluable.

Id absolutely definitely take a union rep. Its like being arrested and getting a lawyer. You always take someone to represent your interests

Do you work for the nhs? They’ve been brutal since fairly recent changes to the sickness policy. In all fairness, it’s been a long time coming. We have been shocked how so many staff have been dismissed due to sickness in the last 6 months. Prior to this, I’ve haven’t known anybody be let go.

I would definitely contact your area rep and seek their advice.

That’s what you pay them for, always seek their advice if you’re involved in formal review processes.

Definitely talk to them. They will advise if you should take a rep in with you or not

I'm a union rep at my workplace. Please contact them. They will be happy to help. They can't speak on your behalf but they can tell you what to expect, what to watch out for, prompt you, and point out any flaws in the process. I also find it tends to put HR on their best behaviour to have a rep there

I'm a rep and regularly sit in on these meetings. It's important for you to have someone there to ensure policy is adhered to - it often isn't. And, they will be able to advocate for you and draw attention to any mitigating circumstsnces. I hope it goes well.

A good employer will want to know if there are any underlying issues they can help mitigate. A absence review needn’t be a negative experience .

Do you have a good employer?