There is a great myth perpetuated by the media that 'pulling sickies' is rife across the railway - in fact the oppposite is true. Staff regularly come in when they're sick because they are threatened with the sack
Most companies including the First Group operate a harsh and unpopular system called "Managing For Attendance". A computer monitors absence and automatically starts the sacking process by calling you up for stage 1 as soon as you trip the pre-arranged criteria.
Once on Stage 1 you are monitored more closely, with the possibilty of being of being placed on Stage 2. If you are on Stage 2 and do not improve, you will arrive at Stage 3.
Stage 3 is where they simply hand you your P60.
Since this is written into your T&Cs, there is nothing that a union or a solicitor can do to stop it. The purpose of MFA is to deal with your inability to generate revenue, and not to question your sickness.
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Please note, I am not criticising the above system....I simply intended to provide information to those unfamiliar with the system. Indeed if MFA were carried out properly by strong & wise managers, it would be an excellent system - sadly this rarely occurs, with good staff being intimdated and naughty people playing the system for all they can get.
