Triggered Sickness Absence Procedure at work

[ColdAsIce]

I was off work 3 days in total last year which triggered the 1st stage of the new absense procedure at work.

Then last thursday I had to call in sick but the 3 days from last year still carry over so now I have reached stage 2, which is a formal meeting with the business manager and then referral to occupational health. The next stage after this could result in a dismissal from work.

Here is the complicated part:

About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohns disease and had an operation, this happend during my employment in the same job I am in at the moment.

I have never wanted my crohns to affect my life after the operation but the truth is I do get flair ups, which I keep to myself and just get on with things.

3 of the 4 days off work have been from flair ups but I didn't tell anyone this and just put down as upset stomach/sickness. Which is technically true but I know it was linked to the crohns.

After 3 years of grinding it out I have a great chance of promotion at work and recently got transferred to a different location to help out as they have been a man down for over a year. If everything works out I could increase my pay by two grades, which would be fantastic.

Is it time I come out and explain about the crohns? From checking online, crohns should be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. I worry this will affect my chance at promotion and I also hate the thought of perhaps being treated differently due to the crohns.

Any advice? I am tempted not to mention it and just ride it out until the promotion comes and just hope I don't get ill before then.

 

[ColdAsIce]

It's a new council policy brought in last year. Guess it was to stop all the BS sickdays that happen. 3 sick days over 12 months or 6 days in a row triggers the 1st level, it then goes onto level 2 which is what I am now on. After that they have grounds to dismiss you apparently.

Not sure if the council has actually followed through on that threat to anyone reaching level 3 though.

 

[ColdAsIce]

The reason I am holding back telling them, is due to this possible promotion. I also only got this chance because the last guy was on long term sick for over a year and looks like he isn't coming back.

In my mind I just keep thinking the last thing they want to hear is that the guy they might promote has a long term health problem...

 

[ColdAsIce]

Thanks for the advice, my formal meeting is due a week on thursday. I will tell the business manager everything and take it from there.

 

[ColdAsIce]

4.8.2 The corporate trigger level for the council is set at 6 cumulative days within a rolling
12 month period or 3 separate occasions of absence within a rolling 12 - month
period. This period may be extended for the purposes of invoking the next stage of
the procedure where a recurring pattern or trend begins to emerge out with the rolling
reference period.

 

[ColdAsIce]

He can't as he didn't declair the illness to start off with 3 years ago. If your forthcoming with diagnosed medical conditions your workplace can and will take steps to accomodate them. If you just keep your mouth shut and take a few days off work due to it and you being abit to proud or daft to tell them, of course they are gonna go down the warning route.

Actually my illness was no secret. I has surgery while working for the council and they know of the condition. We have had a change of business managers since then and a change of policy and it seems my known condition has slipped through the net.