Potential strike - Veolia waste management

[Monkey]

Looks like Veolia, which manages waste for Southwark among other councils, is trying to introduce harsher rules for its employees, including new terms and conditions making it easier to dismiss staff after six sickness days.

More on the story here.

https://www.gmb-southern.org.uk/news/gmb-call-on-veolia-to-bin-sickness-policy-changes-to-avoid-strike-action

I will email Veolia tomorrow using the contact form on their website.

[PeckhamRose]

That's outrageous! Thanks for the heads up. Rose

[IlonaM]

Yes, thank you for the heads up. My aunt in Kent is also grateful.

[intexasatthe moment]

At least the temperatures are low now ,if a strike needs to be called better now than back in the summer .

[Sazzle30]

I worked for a plc company that allowed you to self certify sickness for 5 days but for anything longer you needed a doctors note - perhaps that requirement has been brought in and the unions don?t like it that you have to have prove that you are genuinely ill?

Be interesting to know exactly what changes the company are making to their t&cs

[El Presidente]

Sazzle30 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I worked for a plc company that allowed you to

> self certify sickness for 5 days but for anything

> longer you needed a doctors note - perhaps that

> requirement has been brought in and the unions

> don?t like it that you have to have prove that you

> are genuinely ill?

>

> Be interesting to know exactly what changes the

> company are making to their t&cs

Why would anyone want to know the facts before coming to a view?

[Sue]

Sazzle30 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I worked for a plc company that allowed you to

> self certify sickness for 5 days but for anything

> longer you needed a doctors note

I thought that was a general thing?

I'm pretty sure doctors won't give you a sick note for under 5 days.

[DaveR]

"staff have to be off sick for 6 days before being moved into a formal sickness management process"

This is pretty normal. Is there any evidence of Veolia actually being trigger happy in dismissing people for sickness?

[Penguin68]

I think also there is a difference between staff who are long-term sick (or even off for a few days or weeks only) and staff who seem to pull uncertificated 'sickies' on regular Fridays or Mondays. HR departments are wary of these people and may wish to crack down on abuse of uncertificated sick absence. But this cracking down on abusers clearly also impacts those who don't abuse the system, but still feel they are losing a privilege or having their T&Cs arbitrarily altered. The Civil Service used to allow fixed number of unquestioned sick days - these were treated by some staff as if they were a holiday entitlement. (Whitley Days for those who remember).