Received a letter

I recieved a letter from my work the wonderful Tesco today asking me to go in for a meeting to discuss my current adsence (its at 6 weeks just now.) Does anyone know what this could be about?

[Hidden]

Hiya laurenjaye when I first went on sick from the nursing home were I worked I got called in after about 8 weeks to have a meeting with the manager and deputy matron. It was to discuss my health problems and my manager wanted me to sign a form that she could write to my GP about my problems with my health so she could get a better understanding of how long my GP thought I was likely to be abcent from work. The day I went in though I handed my notice in anyway due to the fact I could not work due to having asthma attacks alot. I dont mean for you to go in and hand your notice it just coinsided my employer writing to me about the meeting and me and my GP+CON thinking it was time to call it a day working for a while. Hope I have helped a little xx

[Hidden]

Being a large company they might want you to see the company doctor or sometimes they have their own occupational therapist. I would not worry about it, take with you details of current treatment perhaps and if you have a peak flow chart or asthma diary you might want it in your bag in case they start asking questions about severity/frequency.

Good luck, remember they are not allowed to bully you in any way so do not be bullied or harassed by them. Often you can take a union rep or a friend/colleague in so see if you are able to do so if that helps you deal with it?

Ali

[Hidden]

Someone else who was off sick was called in a few weeks ago and was asked to hand her notice in - she had been off for 9 months tho and well if i go back when my next sick line ends it will be eight weeks. I could be ready to go back but i just don't want to feel pressured. I also don't feel comfortable with the Personnel Manager as well which makes it more difficult but i know my Union rep will come in with me.

Its annoying that the letter states a date and time as well though becase to be honest i can't plan ahad as i dont know how i'll feel - i've even had to make the difficult decision to give me spice girls tickets away and i bought the VIP ones so i am quite gutted but going down to England isn't really an option just now

[Hidden]

Tesco do seem to have a draconian sickness policy,my supervisors son works on the night shift team and someone had 2 ""spells"" in 3 months and was put on a ""final"" warning-just shows that making billions in profit doesnt make you a caring employer!

[Hidden]

Laurenjayne your health is worth far more than a job with a company that exhibits nothing but extreme greed, and contempt for its staff. Concentrate on getting better, if Tesco are not prepared to support you through this period of ill health then they are not worth working for.

I wish you good luck, stand your ground and make sure the Union rep is in there with you.

Ali

[Hidden]

I wonder if tesco still using their attendance management policy that they had when i worked for them years ago? If so you should have been given a copy of it when you started working for them. It has different levels and gives all the info about what they do if your not there etc and if you have time off even with sick notes or are late from breaks etc they keep a close eye on you and you have to have meetings with managers etc it was all very stressful as doesn't take into account in my case the extra hours i did covering everyone elses sickness only to go down with the same bug and end up in hospital for 2 weeks which put me on attendance management!

This is probably the first meeting to tell you they are watching your sick record, to spell out the policy which as i remember it and may be wrong says if you have certain amount off going through the various stages and putting in place any changes needed to help you at work are still sick then eventually you can lose your job. I left as despite having sick notes from hospital admissions i was so stressed with it all it was making me ill. Sorry not to be more positive!

[yaf_user681_30003]

I think the message of support that you have from us all is very clear. I also think the opinion of Tesco's approach to illness is also very clear - another reason why I shop elsewhere.

Give it all you've got. Do make sure you take your union rep with you. Turn the tables on them: If they, through their procedures, cause you stress, they should be warned that they may well be causing you a reportable injury, which work-related stress is. DDA may also apply. If they refuse to acknowledge that, get them to state very clearly why.

Remember also that we will all be in your pocket while you're there. If you need us, give us a squeeze.

LOL

Alan

[Hidden]

Thank you to everyone for your messages of support - i really appreciate it!

I am actively (but not known to Tesco) looking for another job but i do aim on returning to get my grevience put in.

The letter says it is about them trying to support me - i'm just worried that it will be right your sacked don't return.

I know i shouldn't be bothered about going back but financially i will need to go back soon as i am struggling already that my full pay is finished.

I am also worried that the stress of going i to this meeting may bring on an attack (i know i need to start being more positive than this) and thats what really worries me. I just don't know what to do!!

xx

[Hidden]

Hi laurenjayne good luck with your meeting and keep us posted with the outcome take care xx

[Hidden]

hope it goes ok. I recently had a meeting with occi health, and they said that if management think you are off too much they can terminate your contract on health grounds. However before they do that, especially with DDA, they should make reasonable adjustments to working environment.

If you feel pressurised by the meeting, ask if you could be referred to occupational health -a company the size of Tesco surely has an OH contract with someone, and they would be able to liase with management on your behalf, and work out the best way for you to return to work, or may advise that you are not well enough to go back yet, but they are the experts in getting people with chronic illness back into the workplace.

S

[Hidden]

I have been referred to OH and they have came back and stated what i can and can not do without even seeing me which really makes things difficult.

I know people who have been off a lot more than me but it really depends on the situation etc.

I am just really scared i'll take an attack if they start all the nonsense with me - i'm just so worried and stressed about it. My biggest fear is falling ill during the meeting.

[Hidden]

At the end of the day Laurenjayne your health is 1000% more important than your job if you dont feel up to it could you not arrange for them to come and see you at least then your in your comfort zone. Please dont panic or your going to make yourself ill. As my mam says ""they cant hang you"" So try and keep your chin up you have not done anything wrong. Take care and good luck xx