4.7 Absence Management Policy Purpose: The purpose of the Absence Management Policy is to inform the employee of the Practice’s procedure in dealing with illness and injuries. The Practice realises that occasionally you will be unable to attend work due to illness or an injury. In these situations the Practice expects and requires certain actions from you as outlined below. Scope: All employees of Glasslyn Vets. Procedure: If you are absent from work, whether due to sickness or otherwise, you must notify your manager or designated contact directly as early as possible and in any event not later than 9.00am on the first day of absence. Text messages are not acceptable. If you are unable to contact your manager directly, you should leave a message on their voicemail together with a contact number and the time at which you may be contacted. You should indicate the nature and expected length of absence. Only under extreme circumstances should someone else phone your manager on your behalf. Failure to follow the correct notification procedures may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Disciplinary Policy. If you are absent due to sickness or incapacity for two or more consecutive days, you must, at your own expense furnish to the Practice with a certificate from a registered Medical Practitioner specifying the nature of your illness or incapacity and the likely duration of your absence. The medical certificate should be submitted no later than the third day of absence. Weekly medical certificates and contact are required thereafter. It is your responsibility to claim payment from the Department of Social Protection. In this regard you should remember to get a signed social welfare form from your doctor during your visit. You should then complete and sign the Employee section and pass the form to your manager. The Practice expects all employees to be fit and able to fulfil the duties outlined in their job description. In the case of prolonged absence or abnormal levels of intermittent absence, the Practice may invoke the disciplinary procedure, regardless of whether the periods in question are covered by medical certificates or otherwise. If you shall at any time be incapacitated or prevented by illness, injury, accident or any other circumstances beyond your control from discharging in full your duties for a total of 90 or more days (which may be consecutive or non-consecutive) in any twelve consecutive calendar months, (notwithstanding the existence of any private or permanent health insurance scheme operated by the Employer to Glasslyn Vets for your benefit) the Employer to Glasslyn Vets may in its absolute discretion terminate your employment under this Agreement by giving you one month’s notice in writing. The Employer reserves the right to pay your salary and benefits (if any) in lieu of such notice. The Practice reserves the right to request you to attend a Practice appointed Doctor at any time during sickness or incapacity. Failure to submit to a medical examination by a practitioner appointed by the Employer for the purpose of establishing your fitness to perform your obligations may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Disciplinary policy, up to and including dismissal. GLASSLYN VETS EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Private & Confidential
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