Can I Receive a Civil Service Attendance Warning for Disability-Related Absence?
Disability-Related Sickness and Civil Service Attendance Triggers
Hello,
I have reached my department’s sickness absence trigger and have been told that I may receive a formal attendance warning.
Most of the absence relates to a long-term health condition that my manager knows about. I have had an Occupational Health assessment, but the trigger was not adjusted and the meeting letter appears to count every absence in the same way.
I understand that disability-related absence is not automatically ignored, but I do not know what the department should consider before issuing a warning. I am worried that the warning could affect future applications and make me afraid to take necessary time off.
What should I ask for before the meeting, and what grounds might I have to challenge the warning?
Quick Answer
Disability-related absence can still be managed, but the department should consider the individual circumstances and whether reasonable adjustments are needed to the trigger, recording method, support or outcome. A trigger should prompt review rather than make a warning automatic.
Read our Frequent Short-Term Absence and Attendance Management guide to audit the absence calculation and prepare for the warning decision.
Need help with your own situation? Visit Get Tailored Advice or browse more questions in Advice.
What I Would Check Before Accepting a Warning Based on Disability-Related Absence
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Continue reading to see how I would audit the absences, identify the adjustment decision and prepare a focused response for the attendance meeting.
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