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Posted By Melanie Fellows
A person was off sick for 1 day, we asked him to complete an unauthorised absence form, but he will only partially complete it - he won't say why he was off (he will only tick the "sick" box).
Does he have to stipulate why he was off? Or is he within his rights to refuse?
Thanks,
Mel
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Posted By Ron Hunter
There could be any number of reasons why the employee does not wish to disclose this, and undue pressure will merely compound any anxiety.
Do you really need this information?
Cannot "undisclosed" be an acceptable category?
By all means ask if there's anything that the employer can do to support, but don't press the issue.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Melanie Fellows
To be honest, he's just being funny about it - "because he can", doesn't need to ring in either - a text will do.
We never ask for fine detail, but I do like to know if it was work related in any way, or his returning to work needs monitoring in any way.
I'll have a quiet word with him.
Mel
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Posted By D H
Hi Mel
Doesd this employee get sick pay when he is off? If the answer is yes, then he should give an account of his sickness.
You may also want to ascertain that the sickness was not work related - if it was then you would want to investigate it so you would need to know what it was.
The scenario also suggests (to me) that there is an underlying current of mistrust or a "them and us" attitude which does not help any organisation.
Check the procedures for absence and see if they are being complied with, or if you need to change them to cover the scenario you described.
Dave
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Mitch
Our contracts of employment cover this, an absent person has to ring in before 9.00am, speak to member of the management team and give reasonable reason for the absence, sickness or otherwise!
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Melanie Fellows
He is one of "them" (I never have a problem with "us" filling out the forms). And yes, he does get sick pay.
We do have a ringing in/ absence procedure, but some people obviously think they're above it.
Anyway, he's actually filled the form in properly now - he thought it wasn't important, but when it was explained to him, he was happy to comply (he thought people were just being nosey).
Thanks for your assistance,
Mel
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
There are issues around data protection here - no person, in general terms, can be forced to provide personal information concerning themselves and certainly not other people. The matter is often complicated by the contract of employment and as long as it is clearly stated at the time of employment that employees are required to provide precise details of the reasons for absence then the information must be given. If this is at all woolly then life is more difficult.
The absence reason may be intensely personal and the employee may not wish it to be generally known. You cannot just walk into this demanding to know. Leave it to your personnel department to resolve. - It is called risk export - H&S is not then to blame!!
Bob
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Melanie Fellows
Steady on Bob - there was no one walking about demanding to know anything!
We don't have a personnel department (small company), so it's down to the office manager & myself.
The forms are kept confidential at all times.
When I spoke to the person in question, I gave the option of "undisclosed", however, I did ask whether it was work related. This I would need to know if there was a problem.
He told me he was just winding the manager up for a laugh.
Mel
P.S. we don't have a blame culture here!!! ;o)
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