Off sick - deductions
Discussion
First time in 23 years, I had two days off in February, due to having the flu, shivers, hot cold, you name it, got my March payslip - 2 days deducted for sickness.
To say I was shocked, is a understatement. This is the first time in 23 years I have had sick days deducted. I reached out, and explained, in nice terms, could they please let me know why the deduction, is this company policy etc, can you please point me in the right direction, as I have never had this before. All I have received is the same one liner about SSP twice (which does not apply in this case).
My main question is this. During the period, I have had a total of 6.5 sick days (2 in April 24, 2.5 in september 24). This is over the course of a year. I started this job 2.5 years ago, last year was the most I have had off sick in this time. No deduction on payslip for the other 4.5 days.
There is no way I could be in the office, I pass that test, and this is a genuine illness.
Is there some weird rule that states 4 days sick pay only in a year - any more than that can be deducted? This is compeltely new to me. I do understand that some places don't pay any sick pay - and maybe I just take it on the chin.
Any advice appreciated.
To say I was shocked, is a understatement. This is the first time in 23 years I have had sick days deducted. I reached out, and explained, in nice terms, could they please let me know why the deduction, is this company policy etc, can you please point me in the right direction, as I have never had this before. All I have received is the same one liner about SSP twice (which does not apply in this case).
My main question is this. During the period, I have had a total of 6.5 sick days (2 in April 24, 2.5 in september 24). This is over the course of a year. I started this job 2.5 years ago, last year was the most I have had off sick in this time. No deduction on payslip for the other 4.5 days.
There is no way I could be in the office, I pass that test, and this is a genuine illness.
Is there some weird rule that states 4 days sick pay only in a year - any more than that can be deducted? This is compeltely new to me. I do understand that some places don't pay any sick pay - and maybe I just take it on the chin.
Any advice appreciated.
It sounds like your company only pays SSP (in which case the deduction is correct) but that doesn’t explain why you got paid when you were off sick the two times previously.
Alternatively your company may have its own policy that says “Only X days per year sick leave will be paid “.
I’d ask HR for a copy of the sickness absence policy.
Alternatively your company may have its own policy that says “Only X days per year sick leave will be paid “.
I’d ask HR for a copy of the sickness absence policy.
I have asked for a copy of the employee handbook - asked this a month ago, still not received.
Its getting tedious, contract of employment has about what to do if sick, who to report to etc, but to refer to the employee handbook (which I am trying to get hold of).
Wife says quit (worked in HR previously). Seems a bit drastic to me.
Sorry this is completely new to me, worked in last job for 15 years, never had a issue.
Its getting tedious, contract of employment has about what to do if sick, who to report to etc, but to refer to the employee handbook (which I am trying to get hold of).
Wife says quit (worked in HR previously). Seems a bit drastic to me.
Sorry this is completely new to me, worked in last job for 15 years, never had a issue.
FYI
SSP isn’t payable for 1st 3 days of absence
Some employers also adopt the same approach in their contracts
(not saying in your case but in some environments it does discourage staff taking days off, cause believe it or not, the culture does exist where policies that allow a number of days paid leave annually, some staff view as “entitlements ” & take them if they remain unused towards end of year. (They spoil it for everyone else)
SSP isn’t payable for 1st 3 days of absence
Some employers also adopt the same approach in their contracts
(not saying in your case but in some environments it does discourage staff taking days off, cause believe it or not, the culture does exist where policies that allow a number of days paid leave annually, some staff view as “entitlements ” & take them if they remain unused towards end of year. (They spoil it for everyone else)
In my experience what the company handbook says and what the company does in practice are often two different things, and it also depends on what type of work you are doing and who your manager is.
Often it is down to "discretion" as to weather you get paid sick leave no matter what it says in the handbook. If you are shop floor staff or in a big corporate you generally find that what it says in the handbook/contract is what happens.
Often it is down to "discretion" as to weather you get paid sick leave no matter what it says in the handbook. If you are shop floor staff or in a big corporate you generally find that what it says in the handbook/contract is what happens.
Our place doesn't pay anything for the first 2 or 3 days.
Bit annoying but I can see their angle. More and more people think nothing of taking the day after a big night out off.
I feel like there should be a middle ground that means those genuine people that might be off once every 5 years don't get penalised in the same way.
Bit annoying but I can see their angle. More and more people think nothing of taking the day after a big night out off.
I feel like there should be a middle ground that means those genuine people that might be off once every 5 years don't get penalised in the same way.
AndyAudi said:
(not saying in your case but in some environments it does discourage staff taking days off, cause believe it or not, the culture does exist where policies that allow a number of days paid leave annually, some staff view as “entitlements ” & take them if they remain unused towards end of year. (They spoil it for everyone else)
My mum worked in a place where they had a “sick rota”. In the OPs case, perhaps the past sickness didn’t get noted or passed on - do you have to sign or clock in?
My old employer ran a pilot where specific days had a points score ,Fridays/Mondays had 5 points, Tuesday/ Thursdays had 3 points and Wednesday was 1 ,not sure if it’s still I place as this was a while ago but they claimed there was marked downturn in Bombay fasts so to speak, again hits genuine people with an illness.
The points were collated and when you hit a total it was referred to a management team to assess your attendance.
The points were collated and when you hit a total it was referred to a management team to assess your attendance.
I work in a client services firm, so have timesheets, to bill clients.
I send a email, and my previous sickness is logged on HR platform within the firm.
I'm starting to think maybe its 4 days off allowed type scenario, and anything extra deducted, but have put a request again this morning for the employee handbook and procedure regarding sickness.
Maybe this is why so many people turn up ill, everyday seems like a new person sneezing etc. Bit counter productive, but at the same time, I am well aware sickenss is one area thats generally abused and can understand it from both sides.
I send a email, and my previous sickness is logged on HR platform within the firm.
I'm starting to think maybe its 4 days off allowed type scenario, and anything extra deducted, but have put a request again this morning for the employee handbook and procedure regarding sickness.
Maybe this is why so many people turn up ill, everyday seems like a new person sneezing etc. Bit counter productive, but at the same time, I am well aware sickenss is one area thats generally abused and can understand it from both sides.
gazza5 said:
I work in a client services firm, so have timesheets, to bill clients.
I send a email, and my previous sickness is logged on HR platform within the firm.
I'm starting to think maybe its 4 days off allowed type scenario, and anything extra deducted, but have put a request again this morning for the employee handbook and procedure regarding sickness.
Maybe this is why so many people turn up ill, everyday seems like a new person sneezing etc. Bit counter productive, but at the same time, I am well aware sickenss is one area thats generally abused and can understand it from both sides.
The Employee Handbook must be made available to all employees on day 1 of your employment. No handbook, or fully detailed contract in lieu, means a poor employer.I send a email, and my previous sickness is logged on HR platform within the firm.
I'm starting to think maybe its 4 days off allowed type scenario, and anything extra deducted, but have put a request again this morning for the employee handbook and procedure regarding sickness.
Maybe this is why so many people turn up ill, everyday seems like a new person sneezing etc. Bit counter productive, but at the same time, I am well aware sickenss is one area thats generally abused and can understand it from both sides.
Kuwahara said:
My old employer ran a pilot where specific days had a points score ,Fridays/Mondays had 5 points, Tuesday/ Thursdays had 3 points and Wednesday was 1 ,not sure if it’s still I place as this was a while ago but they claimed there was marked downturn in Bombay fasts so to speak, again hits genuine people with an illness.
The points were collated and when you hit a total it was referred to a management team to assess your attendance.
A lot of companies use the Bradford Factor, or variations of it.The points were collated and when you hit a total it was referred to a management team to assess your attendance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_Factor
Drumroll said:
A lot of companies use the Bradford Factor, or variations of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_Factor
Thank you , I didn’t know it was a proper process ,I thought this was ad hoc.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_Factor
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