Advice about the mc and work..

[iluvbump]

Basically my boss wants me to attend a meeting with her.. Matron and 2 people high up from HR about my sickness at work.. I have no problem with this. What I do have a problem with is in the agenda they have used my miscarriage as date I had off sick ( so there's more to have a go at me about) having a miscarriage is not the same as being sick.. Its for grief.. Am I right or is it them that are right... I'm so nervous.. Sounds like I'm losing my job...

 

[WoodyA]

Hey hun I guess your in nhs?
New attendance policies everywhere!!

Anyway you are right miscarriage should not be counted as sick
My ward sister put it down as pregnancy related and said it doesn't count
Make sure you get a doctors letter too!

 

[WoodyA]

And don't worry too much, those meetings are supposed to be them trying to find solutions to your sickness, not about sacking you!

 

[xSamanthax]

Awww hun I'm so sorry for you lossi agree a MC should not be counted as sick. I hope everything works out ok

 

[cazi77]

Hiya I work for the NHS my time off due to m/c was not counted as sick. I hope your meeting goes well xxx

 

[Fizzio]

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this stress. I work in the NHS and my 2 weeks signed off have been counted as sick but that said not sure what it was coded as on the absence return form. But I would hope this will actually be a supportive meeting particularly if it includes HR. We have to have a formal meeting if we have more than 3 episodes of sickness in 6 months but it is purely a means of supporting those with health issues and weadling out those who are having a laugh - ie have common patterns to their sickness such as all Fridays.

Let us know how you get on and I really hope it goes well. Best of luck xx

 

[Starbright]

Hi hon
Try not to worry too much. WoodyA is correct - a miscarriage can be put down as pregnancy related and your employer should not count it on your sickness record. To do so could be classed as gender discrimination.
I spoke to the Equality and Human Rights Commission after my m/c (because my employer was doing something similar) and they gave some really helpful advice on this.
So sorry you are having to deal with this stress. Good luck
xxx

 

[curlywurlie]

I work for the NHS and recently suffered a m/c. I did a self cert for 5 days and nothing has been said to me. My understanding is as the other ladies have mentioned, if it is pregnancy related then is it not marked down as sickness. I am sure that they will not try and tackle you on this as it's such a sensitive subject and completely inapproriate and incorrect.
Sorry for your loss, take care xx

 

[iluvbump]

Hi ladies thanks for all ur advice I'm just really miffed they have used this.. I hate how my boss is trying now to be really nice all a sudden. Things she's wrote in the agenda about me are completely wrong like she's wrote I was offered a visit to occy health and that I declined. She didn't offer me it though. She says in there I do not work up to my abilitys... If I didn't then why have I been working for the trust for 4 years. If I was that awful at my job surely I'd of been fired by now...

 

[lintu]

hiya huni, they can not discipline you for pregnancy related sickness and it can not be added to your sickness record. If it triggers a "meeting" then they can not hold it as it can not be held against you, all the info is on the direct gov webiste, good luck.

I just blindsided my employeers with all that and they back off, most of ev em dont expect you to be clued up on your rights!!

 

[MsJMouse]

Good luck. Hope it all works out.

 

[Fizzio]

I really appreciate everyone's comments on this thread as it has made me realise that I should check my record as I'm pretty sure my time off was coded as sickness and not pregnancy related. Thanks girls.

When is your meeting iluvbump? Good luck hon - let us know how you get on x

 

[debzie]

Thankyou ladies. I was off for 4 weeks before the miscarriage as I was bleeding and two weeks after the miscarriage so I had 6 weeks off and had to go and see occupational health. Since returning I had a few days off due to having tonsilitus so I am again having to go see occ health nurse as I have now had 3 periods of sick in 2 years I am going to ask my ward manager if i do really have to go. thanks again. x x x

 

[iluvbump]

Meetings on 5th I can't get a rep as I stupidly am not in a union and when I spoke to unions today was told I wouldn't get representation for at least 4 weeks..I don't have anyone to take with me for support..

 

[petitpas]

From what I understand, sick leave for a miscarriage is a bit of a grey area. Legally, it doesn't have to be counted as pregnancy-related sick leave. Saying that, it would be pretty hard for a company/organisation to stand up in court and argue otherwise so most work places count it as pregnancy-related. It is important to find out what your work place's policy is.

If you are offered a meeting with occupational health, it is probably best to take it. They are on your side (who in their right mind will argue with time off from a miscarriage!?). If you refuse, it looks like you are not cooperating with work and it will make your situation look worse.

Iluvbump, if your boss is spreading rumours that you refused an occupational health meeting you need to put the record straight. Instead of getting into a confrontational situation during a meeting with both your boss and HR, maybe you could have a private meeting with HR beforehand and go through your concerns?

It's all rather horrible and I've currently got a grievance open with my employer, too. Since last year Still, my HR and occupational health have been very supportive.

Good luck with everything!

 

[lintu]

is there no one independent you can take, anyone at all???

You need someone there cos you wont take it all in, if needs be get something off your dr saying was PG related sickness!!

Call CAB, if there's no one to go with you, that's what they are for xxxx

 

[PJ32]

Hi Hun, oooh this makes me so mad.

I work in HR and specialise in policy and Employment Law.

Your M/C can be classed as pregnancy related leave and not sick leave.


do you have a copy of a letter with accusations made if you want to PM me a copy I may be able to help.

If your boss has concerns about capability issues these need to be raised seperately from the pregnancy related leave, and the meeting with HR is probably to do just this and put into place an improvement plan which will document what they wil do to ensure you are fully equiped to do the job and what you will do to ensure improvments. Any offer of help should be agreed to.

It would be nice for you to have a union rep there, but legally you can take anyone, do you have a friend at work who you can take? if so Ask them to take notes so you can look back at the discussion. People often forget what is said at the meetings so this is helpful. HR will take notes! HR should provide you witha full written set of notes from the meeting too!

HR will not address the sickness related to pregnancy as this is a dangerous area for most HR professionals!

Let me know if I can help in any way shape or form.

xx

 

[iluvbump]

Hey hun! thats lovely that u want to try and help me.. i will try take a photo of the certain info they listed...
i was told by ACAS that the fact they have written down my MC as sickness is illegal!

ive managed to find someone to come with me she is going to come over in a little while to collect her copies of the agenda.

i will get a photo of it all n message you.
Thankyou!
x

 

[hollyrose]

i work in payroll and also record sickness on our computer systems. why don't u ring up ur payroll dept and ask them what they have recorded ur abscence as. u can also request a copy of ur sickness report which will detail all ur periods of illness, and the reasons.
u can bet hr will have a copy of it when they meet u!
i also agree that u have the right to have someone with u when u meet them.
don't let them 'manage' u out of a job.
xo