The new absence triggers for Network Rail. What does it mean?

[Rana12345]

Hi,

The new policy includes

- 3 instances or more of sickness absence or any 7 days or more of sickness absence within a 13-week period or

- 6 instances or more of sickness absence or any 14 days or more of sickness absence within a 52-week period.


Does this mean if someone went off sick with a fit note for more than 7 days, it could lead to a meeting/trigger?

 

[43066]

Hi,

The new policy includes

- 3 instances or more of sickness absence or any 7 days or more of sickness absence within a 13-week period or

- 6 instances or more of sickness absence or any 14 days or more of sickness absence within a 52-week period.


Does this mean if someone went off sick with a fit note for more than 7 days, it could lead to a meeting/trigger?

From what you’ve written above one period of seven days or more is a trigger, so yes.

 

[Rana12345]

From what you’ve written above one period of seven days or more is a trigger, so yes.

Thank you

 

[cadder toad]

Are these triggers reduced for staff working reduced hours, 'part-time' staff? Somewhat unfair iif that's the case as they could hit the trigger after even fewer days.

 

[High Dyke]

Are these triggers reduced for staff working reduced hours, 'part-time' staff? Somewhat unfair iif that's the case as they could hit the trigger after even fewer days.

Not certain they are. Can't see any mention about that.

This new policy brings Ops staff into line with t&c's maintenance staff and a number of TOC's, more or less.

Equally, the new structure is better than management wanted. Their proposal was for stage 1 MFA to commence at 2 instances in 5 days within any 13 week period or 5 instances of 10 or more days within a 52 week period.

Management have not specified an implementation date for transferring to the MFA policy.

 

[Bayum]

Pretty standard for most companies these days. Allows for discussion around additional support/occy health referrals if needed or starting the path to dismissal.

 

[GalaxyDog]

Certainly better than my TOC, which is 2 instances / 5 days within 13 weeks. Then again, our TOC is hellbent on stamping out any non driving/management grade and wonder why it has a high turnover.

NR got good there it seems.

 

[TheGoldfish]

Are these triggers reduced for staff working reduced hours, 'part-time' staff? Somewhat unfair iif that's the case as they could hit the trigger after even fewer days.

They usually are used pro rata for part time workers .. if you’re sick for 4 days but only supposed to be in work for 2 … you’ve still had a week off sick .. otherwise it would be unfair to the full time worker who’s sick for the same period but incurred double the days recorded , then he’d be on Mfa and you wouldn’t even though your sickness level is the same ?

 

[Elecman]

They usually are used pro rata for part time workers .. if you’re sick for 4 days but only supposed to be in work for 2 … you’ve still had a week off sick .. otherwise it would be unfair to the full time worker who’s sick for the same period but incurred double the days recorded , then he’d be on Mfa and you wouldn’t even though your sickness level is the same ?

They rather than he to be fair