"Weekend" Absence Cert Requirement (rescinded)

Main Table of Contents

"Weekend" Absence Cert Requirement Rescinded

Company-Provided Q&A

MEC Grievance Filed Over New Absence Certificate Requirement

*File a Worksheet

UA Clinic & Concentra Information

DEN:Concentra

COS:Concentra

PHX: Concentra

"Weekend" Absence Cert Requirement Rescinded

On 9/3/2024 the Company announced that they have rescinded the "Weekend" Absence Certificate requirement. (See Scheduling alert below).

Please note that:

Flight Attendants that were absent Friday-Sun August 31-September 3 (Labor Day Weekend) are required to still comply

The Company will still follow-up with Flight Attendants that did not comply with any requirement prior to the rescission.
No further requirement for Absence Cert effective September 5, 2024
The company can still apply 13.C.5. under its parameters if the Company suspects that abuse or misuse of sick leave has occurred
MEC grievance 8-24 remains on file

If you were affected by this contract violation, we still encourage you to file a *Local Council Worksheet to document the event.

*Please be sure to attach all receipts for co-pays, doctor’s bills, mileage, childcare, etc., related to providing the certificate.

Below is the company's latest Q&A surrounding the recently announced weekend Absence Certificate Requirement (see further down). If your questions are still not answered after reading these company communications, please email your supervisor directly and cc AFA at afaden@unitedafa.org.

We have filed an MEC grievance (MEC 8-24) over the violation of Section 13.C.5 of the JCBA. We reached out to the US Dept of Labor and it is our intent to allow them to follow their process - the DOL is aware and are investigating this currently.

Please know that AFA is taking this seriously and we will fight to uphold our contract.

Company-Provided Q&A

from United "InTheKnow" - July 23, 2024

As an update to the Scheduling alert sent on July 20, here are some answers to the frequently asked questions we received to clarify the absence certificate/physician’s verification requirement.

We will continue to provide updates as needed, and please reach out to your base leadership for additional support.

Why is the policy being implemented now?

Inflight sick volume on weekends has reached unsustainable levels, requiring us to take this action. This increase compromises the integrity of our operation and places an undue burden on the flight attendants working in the operation on these days. We highlighted this growing issue in our June 14 leader communication, but unfortunately, the situation hasn’t improved.

We have seen sick volume jump from 6% during the holiday period when an absence certificate was required to more than 23% on some weekend days after the requirement expired. This variation indicates to us that fraud or misuse of sick time is occurring, and we are obligated to take action to protect the operation.

Where do I submit my completed Absence Certificate?

The completed Absence Certificate must be submitted to United Medical via Help Hub HERE.

Is this because of the nationwide IT outage by CrowdStrike that impacted our systems and those of other airlines?

No. This has been a persistent challenge but has reached record levels since April.

I have a good attendance record. Why am I being required to provide an absence certificate/physician’s verification?

We need to apply policies equally and remain consistent with the contract.

The communication said the requirement for an absence certificate/physician’s verification would remain in effect until further notice. Does the company have an end date in mind?

Our preference would be to sunset this policy as quickly as possible. That can only happen when sick calls reach an acceptable level.

Why does this policy only apply to Inflight?

This trend has become routine and is significantly higher than any other operating group. Also, sick calls rise considerably on weekends which indicates to us that fraud or misuse of sick time is occurring.

Is an absence certificate/physician verification required for paid/unpaid FMLA or state-protected leave?

An absence certificate/physician verification is required for any absence where the employee will be paid by United from their sick bank.

What if I have to call in sick downline?

Flight attendants who call in sick downline are required to contact MedAire and follow the instructions/guidance they provide. Assuming MedAire’s instructions/guidance are followed, no absence certificate/physician verification will be required.
Flight attendants calling in sick in a hub location should be seen at an airport clinic/Concentra location and have the clinic complete the absence certificate.

What if I call out sick on Wednesday, and it rolls into another trip or Reserve day on Friday, Saturday or Sunday?

Flight attendants on a rolling sick call with another trip or additional reserve days on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be required to provide an absence certificate/physician verification for the trip/reserve days on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Will I be reimbursed for co-pay/Uber/costs incurred to obtain the absence certificate/physician’s verification?

The Company will not reimburse for co-pays required to be seen by a doctor, nor will we reimburse for any transportation costs except while on layover and as outlined below.
Flight attendants who call in sick downline and are directed by MedAire to be seen by an accredited physician will be reimbursed for the cost of transportation between the hotel and the physician’s office/clinic and the return to the hotel. Likewise, flight attendants at a layover in a hub who are seen at an off-airport clinic/Concentra will be reimbursed for the cost of transportation between the hotel and physician’s office/clinic and the return to the hotel.
Flight attendants should submit the expense for reimbursement using the regular expense reimbursement process.

Some medical professionals/clinics won’t see me in person if I have COVID. What if I can’t get an in-person visit in 72 hours?

Regarding COVID, flight attendants should submit a picture of the positive COVID test to United Medical utilizing the link for submitting the absence certificate/physician’s verification. The picture should include the date and time the test was taken.

What if I am out on approved occupational?

Flight attendants are required to submit an ESF after each appointment – consistent with our current process.

What is the difference between an absence certificate/physician’s verification and a “physician’s note” in Section 23.F.2. of the JCBA?

An absence certificate/physician’s verification contains personal medical information that must be submitted to United Medical, not your supervisor

MEC Grievance Filed Over New Absence Certificate Requirement

from unitedafa.org

July 24, 2024

Yesterday, MEC President Ken Diaz filed a grievance over management’s edict to indefinitely require an absence certificate for all sick calls, including Family Medical Leave events. This reprehensible act by management violates Sections 13 and 15 of our Contract and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The AFA Legal Department has already been in touch with U.S. Department of Labor officials about management’s action. Expect some news on this front in the coming weeks, if not days.

Right now, the Union has two important ways for Flight Attendants to take action:

*File a Worksheet

*Please be sure to attach all receipts for co-pays, doctor’s bills, mileage, childcare, etc., related to providing the certificate.

If you call on sick leave for a trip as a lineholder that touches a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, we want you to file an LEC worksheet with your Local Council. Please also file an LEC worksheet should you call on sick leave as a Reserve with reserve days on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. In support of the MEC Grievance, we need you to provide specific information and documents about any costs and inconveniences you experience because of management’s new policy that an absence certificate be provided within 72 hours of calling off of sick leave.

If you find yourself in a position where a doctor visit is necessary to obtain the company-required absence certificate, we highly suggest utilizing the company-provided on-site clinics. The United clinics are available at no cost to all active United Employees.

If your base does not have a clinic on-site, please contact your supervisor. They will be able to provide you with more information about using a contracted medical center near you. For more information on United clinics, please click here.

It is always good practice to collect and keep a copy of your medical documents that are submitted on your behalf. Should a physician fax your Absence Certificate or FMLA paperwork directly to United Medical, please retain a copy of the transmission form submitted. Absence Certificates should ONLY be submitted to Unite Medical, never a supervisor.

Vote Yes FOR Strike Authorization

This decision is just another reason to vote YES for a strike authorization vote. Management’s decision to make our work lives even harder demands that we are truly united with a strike vote. Management is trying to distract Flight Attendants from what we need to do in order to obtain an industry-leading Contract and bring management to heal: a massive vote in favor of a strike.

Please check out our strike vote web page for full information on why a strike authorization vote is necessary and how you can participate: www.contract2021.org/strike-authorization-vote

Voting Opens August 1, 2024. The strike vote guide has been mailed to your address on file, along with instructions and your access code so that you can cast your vote.

We understand how invasive and disrespectful management’s absence certificate policy is for Flight Attendants. We will continue to do all we can to fight against this egregious policy. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this newly instituted policy, please direct your emails to base management and copy John Slater, Senior Vice President of Inflight Services, at John.Slater@united.com.