A sickness or return to work interview should be about informing you and supporting you and should be in line with the 'Supporting Absence at Work Policy'
DO'S
- Talk about work issues - use the interview in a positive way to get up to date with what you have missed. Have there been any changes or have you missed any team/station meetings? Did work issues cause the absence?
- Respect yourself - if you have a problem relating to your manager interviewing you, request that you be interviewed by a different manager (e.g. of same sex)
DON'Ts
- Don't detail your illness - the interview should not be used to discuss specific details of your illness. Tell your manager to read the doctors reports.
- Don't make promises - do not agree to reduce your absence in the future - you cannot be bullied into being healthy.
- Don't be victimised - you have legal rights not to be unfairly discriminated against.
If the absence was due to an incident at work, ensure it is reported and logged - station log - accident book. If road staff and on a job, inform your relevant control ASAP - contact your UNISON rep.
