PN 880 Managing Attendance

Question 1

What are the 3 main objectives of this policy?

Answer 1

1. Maximise attendance at work
2. Ensure timely interventions
3. Minimise the distribution to service delivery
   (P/N 889 1.3)

Question 2

When will training be given to managers?

Answer 2

Training will be provided to all relevant managers involved in the policy:
When new managers take up post
Where changes are made to the procedure
(1.3 c)

Question 3

What is short term sickness defined as?

Answer 3

A period of absence of less than 28 days.

Question 4

What is long term sickness defined as?

Answer 4

A period of absence lasting 28 days or more.

Question 5

When booking sick can an employee use text message or email or ask a friends or family to call?

Answer 5

NO.
Initial contact must be made be made by the employees themselves and by telephone (ExTel).
Unless due to the nature of the illness they are unable to do so. In exceptional circumstances the employee can ask someone to do this on their behalf.
(2.1)

Question 6

When booking sick, when should the employees notify the brigade?

Answer 6

At least 1 HR prior to starting shift
(must include nature of incapacity)

Employee must continue this for day 2-3 at same time unless the manager has been informed that the sickness is likely to extend to day 4 (employee must contact manager again on day 4
(4.2)

Question 7

Is statutory leave affected by sickness?

Answer 7

No.

7.1

Question 8

List the advice and support mechanisms that are available for employees during an absence?

Answer 8

. Line manager
. HR
.FBU
.OHS
.GP
.C&W
.Firefighters charity

Question 9

Will the brigade accept a back dated Fit note?

Answer 9

Yes:
but only if the employee is unable to get a GP appointment before the expiry of the current certificate, they have contacted their line manager to advise them of the steps they have taken and the date of the GP appointment that has been offered?
(4.6)

Question 10

If an employee is unable to complete their shift because of illness how will the line manager record this?

Answer 10

In circumstances where the employee becomes sick within the 1st hour of their shift this line manager will record this as sickness for whole shift.

after the 1st hour this will be recored as ‘Incomplete duty’
(5.1)

Question 11

Following a period of long term sickness an employee can request their AL back. When should this leave be taken by?

Answer 11

The leave MUST be taken up to 15 months from the end of the leave year in which its was accrued?
(7.3)

Question 12

What is an ASM?

Answer 12

An ASM is an Attendance Support Meeting and is for both short and long term sickness. They are organised when absence triggers are reached.

Its a formal meeting and requires a letter to be sent to employee with at least 7 days notice. The letter will advice the employee their right to accompanied.

A checklist is provided for managers who require guidance during the meeting.
(11)

Question 13

What are the absence triggers for rolling 6 month period?

Answer 13

3 separate instances or a total absence of 6 working days

8.2

Question 14

What are the absence triggers for rolling 12 month period?

Answer 14

5 separate instances or a total absence of 8 working days

8.2

Question 15

What are the capability time frames for long term absence?

Answer 15

6 months - 1st stage capability meeting
9 months - 2nd stage
12 months - 3rd stage
(21.7)

Question 16

Can the capability process be used for short term absence?

Answer 16

Yes.
If an employee fails to achieve the targets for improvement. managers can consider the 1st stage of the process and there on.
(21.10)