Archive for This forum is for serving or retired firefighters from the LFB. This is the place to have a moan, have a laugh and maybe even get some proper answers to some time honoured and new questions
It has come to the union's attention that the London Fire Brigade has introduced a new practice, whereby groups of senior managers are tasked with telephoning at home firefighters who have recently reported sick, with a view to seeking a return date. During the phone calls, managers make clear to the sick firefighters that their absence is having an effect on operational effectiveness - "Pumps are coming off-the-run" - and the brigade needs to know when they will be back at work so they can "plan ahead".
Several FBU members have received such calls in recent days, and many have contacted the union directly to register their anger.
The FBU utterly deplores this kind of harassment, and we believe that it is a completely inappropriate way for a responsible employer to behave. We immediately lodged a protest with the brigade, but, regrettably, managers refused to halt the practice; indeed, they defended it.
It is disgraceful that employees, having just taken to their sickbeds, are immediately contacted by a senior manager and placed under moral pressure to return to work. Doubtless no manager in high authority receives a call of a similar nature when he or she books sick.
As we pointed out to brigade managers, if personnel shortages are leading to a lack of available appliances (in December, no less!), they should do what we have been telling them to do for years: increase establishment levels. They should not pester sick people at home.
While sick members are obliged to co-operate with the brigade to a certain degree (such as by attending medical appointments), they are not obliged to start discussing long-term implications over the telephone with faceless senior managers who have contacted them within hours of their reporting sick. Most members, by virtue of being sick, will not wish to engage in such a discussion, and they would be well within their rights to say so.
We would also suggest that members who receive such contact submit a formal grievance in line with the brigade's grievance procedure. You local FBU official will be able to assist with this.
