Page 15 - EQA Employee Handbook

promotions. Failure to comply with the absence procedure will be dealt with under the disciplinary
procedure.

2.8.1 Absence from Work – Notification Requirements on the Day
If you are unable to attend work, for whatever reason (apart from approved leave), you must alert
the Company as set out below:
1. In all instances below, references to ‘your manager’, means Christine or David Daly.
2. If you are unable to report to work because of illness and/or injury, you must notify your
manager at EQA Ireland Ltd., by telephone, before 10am on the morning of the first day of
absence.
3. Text messages and emails are not an acceptable manner of communicating an absence.
4. You are required to outline the reason for your absence and the likely date you will return to
work.
5. A medical certificate must be furnished after three days of continuous absence (i.e. on the 4th
day of absence). Medical certificates are to be sent by post or email to your manager, within
one week of the date of issue of the certificate.
6. A medical certificate must be submitted at weekly intervals (i.e. one every week) for as long
as the absence continues (regardless of whether an employee is in receipt of sick pay from
EQA Ireland Ltd or not),
7. For long term sick absences, on a case by case basis, alternative submission intervals may be
agreed with your manager.
8. Failure to abide by these policies may lead to disciplinary action.
Employees who are absent from work due to illness and/or injury are not to attend work until they
are medically certified fit to return to work. This includes attendance at any work-related meetings.

At all times, there must be a reasonable expectation that the employee will be able to return to the
work for which she/he was employed. Where it has been reasonably established that an employee is
unable to return to work for which she/he was employed, EQA Ireland Ltd. reserves the right, following
due process, to terminate the employee’s contract of employment with one month’s notice (or their
legal notice if greater).

2.8.2 Punctuality
The Company attaches great importance to punctuality. You are expected to be at your workstation
at your agreed start time. If you arrive late, you must report to your Manager before starting work.

If you anticipate being late for work, you must phone your Manager to advise of your expected time
of arrival.
The appropriate stage of the Disciplinary Procedure will be instigated if an employee is persistently
late. Persistent lateness is defined as:

• More than three occasions late in a four-week period; and
• More than 150 minutes late in four-week period

2.8.3 Doctor/Dentist Appointment
If, for reasons such as a doctor's/dentist's appointment, you need to request time off, you must agree
the time in advance, with your Manager so that he/she can arrange the necessary cover. Such time
off is at your own expense. Where possible, appointments should be made outside your normal
working hours.

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