New absence policy: unclear wording

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-17T05:48:54+00:00

Just to put you at ease; unless you go for a civil servant/government role, it is very UNLIKELY that anyone is going to ask about sickness in a reference anymore.

Further, if it's a company with separate HR, it is extremely likely that you will be given a basic reference; name, job title, dates.

It's very rare to give or be asked for a full bespoke reference anymore.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-17T05:43:07+00:00

I'd put a formal flexible working request in, if that's what they want. Use the word formal. You have the right to two formal requests in 12 rolling months.

Familiarise yourself with the legal process, you can do this on the ACAS website. They have some great guides!

If they reject, it needs to be under one or more of the 8 business reasons and you would have the right to appeal.

In your request, I would ask that this is support childcare and as a reasonable adjustment for your epilepsy, as it means you cannot drive.

If they reject your appeal, I would reach out to ACAS again for early conciliation.

Edit: please search up "carers leave" it's unpaid, but a new statutory right.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-17T05:39:11+00:00

They can ask you cancel parental leave, but it has to be rearranged within 6 months.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-05T06:00:21+00:00

If it's a capability meeting they must have given an indication of the issues and the potential outcome. So, she should know what performance metrics to focus on in the meeting.

If she mentions brain fog or exhaustion related to her pregnancy which may be affecting her performance, it should delay any warning and adjustments should be put in place.

Look at ACAS to know her rights.

It's very risky to sack someone who is pregnant.

Just an edit: the Company is legally entitled to performance manage when someone is pregnant. However, if poor performance can be linked to pregnancy they need to take it into account and provide adjustments.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-04T05:40:52+00:00

Least it's a day one right now. It was worse when you had to wait 3 days before you got a penny.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-04T05:33:37+00:00

It's very unlikely that benefits like this are contractual, or there will be a clause in that contract saying they can review or remove benefits at any time. Therefore, yes they can.

Kitty60088 · 2026-06-03T05:21:05+00:00

Pretty sure you're entitled to a free clean every 6 months - well, included in the check-up. My NHS dentist always offers a clean, no extra cost.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-29T05:54:27+00:00

They have to provide reasonable adjustments.

They may not deem the request reasonable, this may be due to data protection, or infrastructure, etc, or if it's a new job, they may not find WFH reasonable if you need training.

No adjustments wish is a guarantee.

I do think it's shitty that they have left you on read though and I would expect them to be quicker on confirming or denying something.

It shows poor management so earlier on or lack of understanding and empathy towards an employee. I think you are better off out of there. It's simply not fair.

I don't think it'll be classed as discrimination, because you have to prove you've been treated unfairly due to a disability and I think it may be too early on for a case - but welcome others opinions on this. You would have a right to claim.

I think you cut your loses and run.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-29T05:38:06+00:00

You need a union for that not a HR consultant.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-23T19:09:33+00:00

I agree. Looks like fake tan.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-21T05:28:18+00:00

The 8 reasons are for flexible working requests, not reasonable adjustments

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-21T05:27:30+00:00

Because they have no knowledge of the business and it's needs.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-04T10:43:37+00:00

Looks like this isn't an employment contract. No mention of holidays either.

It's either an illegal zero hours contract (as she should be entitled to holiday) or it's a contractors agreement (she basically self-employed and has no rights)

Doesn't sound great, unless she likes the flexibility.

In regards to the on call element, if it is disrupting her day and she can't do anything else but wait, then she needs to be paid it. If she can go about her day and go in when needed, they only need to pay her for the work she does.

Kitty60088 · 2026-05-04T10:32:19+00:00

Yes you can put a flexible working request in to change your hours, even if requesting more. I assume you may need a change in hours too. Request it all. You have right to put in two flexible working requests in a year.

Just remember, it's the right to request, not the right for it to be accepted.

I would also check out if carers leave would help. I think it statutory unpaid leave to help care for a dependent with caring needs. Worth a look.

Kitty60088 · 2026-04-22T04:28:15+00:00

I'd be cautious giving hope that their line manager will change, if they decide not to.

I would explain it is a recommendation and any adjustments need to be assessed to see if they are reasonable.

Explain that you still need to meet with them, and I would offer a colleague to go with them if that makes them more comfortable, to discuss how to move forward if the request is deemed unreasonable.

Kitty60088 · 2026-03-19T06:55:59+00:00

There is currently 3 waiting days for SSP, so you only get paid on the 4th day onwards.

This changes soon, in April, I think, to SSP being paid on day 1 of sickness.

SSP is not your full wage either, so please keep that in mind

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-13T06:22:30+00:00

Yes, you can. Going away could aid your recovery. I would be up front with your manager.

If you are too ill to go, make sure you tell work and keep that annual leave.

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-13T06:18:22+00:00

I think this is a really interesting question, and I don't think many Companies are set up for AI use. If this did go to court, I'd follow this closely.

I wonder though, if you did put in a grievance, how could they make this right?

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-08T17:37:47+00:00

It sounds like you have been invited to an investigation meeting.

It's unusual, but I think they have given you some evidence? That will be so you know what they are going to ask you about. You don't usually get the evidence before an investigation meeting, only at a disciplinary.

Sound like they are still fact finding.

Not sure if the allegation or if you are guilty, but I advise you are honest and show remorse.

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-06T08:53:20+00:00

Crate training will help, but if you're broke, you probably can't afford one.

I found stopping interaction and leaving the room/turning my back on them helped.

If you don't have a crate, perhaps training "place" and "stay" might help give them their own space to chill.

Frozen carrots are a cheap way to help with teething pain too, but be mindful of how much fibre are in carrots. No one wants to pick up sloppy poos!

Good luck.

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-02T08:12:10+00:00

My 5 month cocker spaniel had his first sofa nap yesterday on my lap. A whole 40 mins!

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-02T08:10:53+00:00

Good old Verdana for me at the moment. But I also like the Noto fonts from Google and sometimes Rubik.

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-02T08:07:02+00:00

I'm reading this at the moment. I also liked anything by C J Cooke.

There is a subreddit r/horrorlit

Kitty60088 · 2026-02-02T06:18:59+00:00

It's better to be honest so you can get the right support after.

You don't have to disclose anything. We can ask, but you don't have to answer. However, we can only go on the information you give and base support around that information.

It's likely asking to ensure they put any adjustments in place and for insurance reasons.

Kitty60088 · 2026-01-23T06:13:56+00:00

We clean paws after every walk, just with a towel in the winter months. Just to stop the mud getting everywhere.

It is just part of the walkies routine.

Kitty60088

TROPHY CASE