Just had to go into a 'level of absence' meeting. Can I get some advice please

[colnelcustard]

I have had 21 days off since April last year. I know this is a long time but in my defence 15 of those days have been as I have had unexplained abdominal pains that ended up in me having an operation.

the other days that I have had were two migraines (one day each, a sickness bug and flu like symptoms).

I have not been given a warning but have been told if I take one more day off in six months I will get a warning.

Where do I stand with this?

you need flowerybeanbag and she has JUST gone on a break from MN - there must be someone else who can help so bumping for you.

what do you mean, where do you stand? That is 4 weeks off sick - quite a lot! If you've got notes from GP or hospital to prove that you were genuinely ill, then I don't think you really have to worry. It's probably standard practice to prevent employees from taking the piss.

Most companies have internal rules and guidelines for sickness and you may have reached a point where these have been triggered.

Employers are allowed to dismiss people for sickness levels providing they follow correct procedure (which your company appears to be doing) - there are some exceptions for the disability act but wont concern you given your post.

I have two or three of this talks last year whilst still at the prison. I had the odd day off each month due to abdominal pains, linked to my monthly cycle because of adhesions on my uterus. I was waiting for an op, which involved over 12 months wait. I then had the first op, followed by 7 weeks absense, went back for 3 weeks, had second op and another 9 weeks absense. The 16 weeks were covered by full doctor's notes. The thers not although my consultant provided me with an information sheet re symptoms to give to my employers to explain the type of pain I was in. A few months after my op I also had to have a couple of days off due o hormone medication side effects, and then later in the year had 4 week's off, just prior to leaving (I had resigned previously) again due to the hormone treatment's side effects.

In this time I was called to these meetings and discussed my absense. TBH they were fine. They had all the info, and the doctor's notes. I kept them informed throughout of the stages of my conditiona dn treatment and prewarned them of potential side effects.

I was never given a warning despite several week's absence in the 12 months. They just monitored it.

First request a hard copy of your records that have details about you.

Subject Access on www.acas.co.uk,