HR Policy Update for Staff 9 (May 2014)

We are pleased to confirm that through consultation with our recognised Trade Unions, EIS and UNISON, we have developed a new policy which takes effect from today, 1st May 2014.

New Policy:

  1. Capability Policy – Long-term Sickness Absence

Why has this policy been developed?

The University identified that need to establish a policy to deal with capability issues relating to long term sickness absence, i.e. scenarios where the issue is “can’t do” their role versus “won’t do” their role, the latter implying some degree of control and choice.

Capability issues can occur when someone has previously met the standard expected but are no longer able to do so, due to a long-term sickness absence issue. This includes instances where employees have one or more periods of long-term absence and employees who experience frequent, persistent and ongoing short-term absences.

Future policy development

There are a few updated policies in the final stages of consultation: Grievance Policy and Procedure, Sickness Absence Policy and Bullying and Harassment Policy which have all been updated for clarity, flow and process improvement.

Capability Policy – Long-term Sickness Absence

Purpose of this policy

This document sets out the University’s procedures to address capability in relation to long-term sickness absence. The purpose of the procedure is to be supportive rather than punitive and to ensure the consistent and fair treatment of all employees.
This process applies where an employee has been absent from work on a long-term, but not necessarily continuous basis, due to ill health.
Where a scenario arises where, the University considers that the employee is unlikely to return to their role or if an appropriate suitable alternative role cannot be identified within a reasonable timeframe, the University can convene a formal capability dismissal level hearing.

Who is covered by this policy?

This policy applies to all staff employed on a permanent or fixed–term contract of employment with the University.

The policy can be found at:

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