Below is the official company statement about managers contacting sick staff. We know that many managers do not stick to these rules, so it is important that you know your rights. If your manager contacts you in breach of these guildelines, then you should tell your RMT rep immediately.

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Guidelines Regarding Contact with Staff at Home

Before the normal commencement of the first shift/working day, an employee is expected to report any non-attendance. This will be subject to any mitigating circumstances relating to the nature of the non-attendance.

The next of kin telephone number is provided for specific purposes and must not be used as a general contact number for staff.

Expecting staff to ring in on their rest day, other than for emergencies, is poor rostering practice and should be avoided wherever possible unless there has been prior agreement with the member of staff.

In the first instance, when a member of staff has notified their manager that they are going to be absent due to sickness and this has not been followed up with better details and/or communication arrangements, a letter will be sent to them to either telephone or write to agree contact arrangements if they are going to be absent for more that a week.

Towards the end of the period of a medical certificate, the member of staff would be expected to make contact to confirm to their manager the date/time of their impending return to work.

Addendum (1st February 2005) In cases where the member of staff has been involved in an assault on duty, fast personal contact would be more appropriate. In these cases, it is recommended that the local manager and staff representative should agree the most appropriate form of contact.

Issued by Stations Functional Council
Updated: 8th February 2005