Downline Sick Calls

Downline Sick Calls - Guidelines & Instructions

If you are placed on sick leave while downline (including FML and Occupational Injury), here are some things to remember so that you can focus on getting well and worrying less.

Guidelines

• Do not feel badly about being sick downline. We don't get to choose when we are sick and the operation will survive without you.

• A downline sick call is not very different than a sick call originating at your home or base. It is not a "more serious" type of sick call than calling in sick from home.

• With the exception of FMLA, *attendance points will be assessed the same as a sick call from home - based on the occurrence itself and not how long you are out.

• Contractually, your hotel accommodations and per diem continue until you return to base. (Continue reading "Steps to Follow" to make sure per diem is applied.)

• *Probationary FAs - please remember that your attendance and performance are monitored as a single track while you are on probation using an IE (Interim Evaluation) system, not points, which is "less forgiving" during the probationary period (IE levels convert to Attendance points and Discipline steps, as applicable, after completion of probation).

Instructions for Downline Sick Calls

• Always give as much notice as possible when calling on Sick Leave, whether downline or at home.

• To place yourself on Sick Leave while downline, contact FAST to advise of the need to go enroute sick.

• If you are using existing FMLA for this downline sick call, see How to Use Existing FMLA When Calling Downline (below)

• If this sick call is the result of an injury at work, be sure to read the Occupational Injury Info and Immediate Actions section (below) for steps to take after calling FAST to go on Sick Leave.

• While on a downline sick call, remain in contact with the IFDM (Inflight Duty Manager) 847 700 4174 for the purposes of arranging room accommodations, incidentals and travel back to base. You are NOT required to share your medical details with members of management.

• Let the IFDM know when you are feeling well enough to return to base and they will arrange your positive space travel. 

• Do not feel there is a rush to travel back; wait until you are well enough to travel.

• Once back at base, email a picture of your boarding pass from your return flight to your supervisor so they can complete a Manager Notification Form in order to ensure that your per diem is calculated correctly. (This is necessary since automated per diem calculation stops at the time you are placed on sick leave).

• As is always the case, once placed on sick leave you remain on sick leave until you call FAST to call in well. Said another way, sick leave "rolls" until you call off sick leave.

Included below is some information on the Attendance Points system as well as the Progressive Discipline for Attendance for non-probationary flight attendants. If you have additional questions about sick leave, family leave, or points/discipline, please contact an AFA rep at afaden.org for assistance.

*New Hire Probationary Flight Attendants should obtain a physician's note whenever possible. While not required, it may reduce the IE level that is assessed for your sick call. Please contact an AFA union officer for more information about sick leave while on probation. Call or text 720.500.5788 (option 2)

Attendance Points System Explained (for non-probationary FAs)

Contractually there are two (2) tracks of discipline:  Attendance and Performance. While they operate independently of each other, the exception is that a flight attendant may not be on an Attendance Warning 4 and a Performance Warning 4 at the same time, as this will result in termination.

Here we will be explaining the Attendance track of discipline which is point based. (Probationary FAs fall under UA's single track "IE "system which is much less forgiving.) Here are the things you should know:

• Sick calls, late reports and missed trips incur attendance points (see chart below)

• Points are assessed "per occurrence". They are not based on how long you are on sick leave

• Regardless of when or how you place yourself  "on sick leave" via call to FAST or via CCS, sick leave is measured in calendar days from first day of work missed through and including the day you call in well or "off sick leave" (including all days off, PTO, PD, and VAC days)

• Once placed on paid sick leave or family leave (for yourself) you will remain on sick leave/family leave until you call off sick leave.

• 💡Points are removed from your point total twelve (12) months after the occurrence for which the points were assessed, unless you are on an Attendance Warning, in which case it is the Attendance Warning which expires after a certain time, after which you exit the Attendance track with zero points!)

• Attendance Warnings (AWs 1-4) are issued at 6, 12, 18 and 24 points with TERMINATION at 30 points

• AW1 (6pts) expires after 12 months active service

• AW2 (12 pts) expires after 12 months active service

• AW3 (18 pts) expires after 18 months active service

• AW4 (24 points) expires after 24 months active service

• 30 points = termination. Unless errors can be found in your points calculation, if you reach 30 points you will be separated from United Airlines.

• When an Attendance Warning expires, your point total returns to zero (yes, even points that occured after the AW was issued will drop off)

• Always a clear path to "zero" points

• An optional physician's note (in-person visit required, not virtual) will reduce a point occurence by .5 for sick calls of 6 calendar days or fewer

• A physician's note should not contain any medical information and should be emailed to your supervisor on or before your next trip. Be sure to retain a copy of the email and check your Work History Record in CCS to ensure the .5 point reduction was applied.

• An Absence Certificate (different to a physicians note) is required for all sick calls that last more than 12 calendar days (measured from first day of work missed through and including the day you call off sick leave) and must be sent to UA Medical via HelpHub or fax (HulpHub is recommended so that you maintain control of the document and it's submission)

• Failure to substantiate a sick call lasting more than 12 calendar days with an Absence Certificate is a violation of the contract and will most likely result in a double step of Performance Warning discipline. If you believe your absence may extend past 12 calendar days, you should see your physician as soon as possible to establish your need to be off work. Waiting too long to be seen will make finding a doctor who is willing to complete the Absence Certificate (covering all days absent) much more difficult.

How to manage your points

The AFA-negotiated Attendance Points system is by far the most generous and flexible attendance tracking system in the airline industry, bar none. Points are not considered "discipline", however they can trigger discipline in the form of Attendance Warnings every 6 points. You are not in "trouble" if you have points, or even AWs. You just need to be aware of them.

You will receive an email advising you of your Attendance Warnings as they occur. Pay attention to where you are in the Attendance track at all times by checking your Work History Record in CCS under the work History tab. For the most part, you are in control of your Attendance points.

• Keep track of your points and Attendance Warnings so you don't stress over them.

Consider applying for Family Leave:

• Colorado FAMLI (State)

• FMLA (Federal)

If you are concerned about your attendance points accruing and have a chronic illness, serious health condition or a sick family member or close friend, don't wait until you are at an AW3 or AW4. Contact your C9 Family Leave Committee to discuss ways to manage your points, including state or federal Family Medical Leave.

C9's Family Medical Leave Committee are here to assist you with the process of applying for and maintaining your FAMLI or FMLA qualification.

• Call 720 500 5788 option 5 to contact an C9 Family Leave Committee rep. We can assist without you having to disclose any private medical information.

• Here is the link to the C9 Federal FMLA Guide for more information on how to apply for and how to use your FMLA once approved. 

• Here is the link to the C9 Colorado FAMLI Guide (more info below) for information on how to use Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

Occupational Injury Information

Occupational Injuries & Immediate Actions

https://sites.google.com/unitedafa.org/c9-infolinks/sick-fmla-oji-benefits/occ-injuries-immed-actions?authuser=0

Sedgwick Occupational Claims #

1- (844) 717-2579

C9 Occupational Committee

720 500 5788 Option 4

How to Use Existing/Approved FMLA or FAMLI When Calling Downline

Lately, there has been some confusion as to the correct process for using Family Medical Leave when calling FML downline. If you already have FMLA or FAMLI in place (meaning you have a case number and are approved for intermittent FMLA/FAMLI), then here are the steps you should take to ensure your downline call is designated as FMLA or FAMLI.

• Always give as much notice as possible when using FML (or for any sick call).

• Follow the normal sick call procedure and advise FAST that your sick call is FML related.

• FAST will contact Crew Scheduling and a sick leave code will be placed on your CCS Master Schedule.

• Next, you MUST contact the Employee Service Center as soon as possible (877-825-3729 and follow prompts for FML Department) to have the absence changed to FML that same day.

• If outside the FML Department hours (M-F 0700-1900 Central Time), you must contact them on the next business day to have the absence changed to FML.

Failure to follow the above steps could result in the absence not being designated as FMLA/FAMLI and points may be assessed.

Even if you do not currently have approved FMLA or FAMLI, remember that under the act, you have 15/30 days (respectively) to submit paperwork (for FMLA) or start an online claim (for FAMLI) for a qualifying absence.

In that case, tell FAST at the time of the call that you are calling in sick "pending FMLA or Colorado FAMLI" and then click the links below to learn how to apply for FMLA/FAMLI.

• Click here for information on the FMLA Process and How to Use

• Click here for information on Colorado FAMLI Paid Leave

C9 Family Leave Committee

720 500 5788 Option 5 for questions about FMLA or Colorado FAMLI (paid leave)

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Keywords: Downline Sick Calls, Sick Leave, FMLA, Occupational Injury, Attendance Points, FAST, Inflight Duty Manager, Per Diem, Manager Notification Form, Interim Evaluation System, Probationary Flight Attendants, JCBA Section 13, JCBA Section 23.F, Family Medical Leave, Colorado FAMLI, Sedgwick Occupational Claims, Absence Certificate, Performance Discipline, Family Leave Committee, Occupational Injuries, UA Medical, Sick Leave Procedures, Flight Attendant Attendance, Sick Leave Management, Attendance Warning, Physician's Note, CCS Master Schedule.