SSTG College Attendance Policy.

Introduction:

This policy applies to all Officer Trainees undertaking full time college study as part of their cadet training programme, whose training is managed by the SSTG.

The SSTG Policy for College Attendance is confirmed as follows:

• Full attendance at college is expected throughout each phase, with leave expected to be taken during sea phases.

• Should absence from college for any predetermined reason during normal term time be required, you must contact your Training Officer in advance to discuss the circumstances and seek their guidance.

• Should absence from college for any reason be required at short notice, this must be reported to SSTG prior to 10:00 on the day of absence. You can either e-mail your Training Officer informing them of the absence and circumstances, or phone the SSTG office between 08:00 and 10:00 on any working day.

• You are also required to contact your Training Officer or the SSTG office for every subsequent day of absence from college, using the same procedure as detailed above.

• You must also contact the college to advise them of the absence and follow any separate college procedures that they may have.

All absence from college will be recorded and categorised by SSTG as follows:

• Authorised Absence: This may include Visa appointments, ENG 1 appointments, doctors or dentist appointments, family bereavement, or attending any additional training or Company business off the college site. This list is not finite and your Training Officer can discuss any additional reasons for an authorised absence with you, providing permission is sought in the correct way.

• Sickness: By following the procedure detailed above, SSTG will accept this as meeting the self-certification rules (although a medical certificate will be required if the absence extends to 8 consecutive days or longer).

• Unauthorised Absence: All other absences will be categorised as unauthorised. You should be aware that the college supply us with an attendance report on a weekly basis. Any absence on the college attendance report that you have not informed us of will result in the deduction of one half days’ Training Allowance for each half days’ unauthorised absence.

Such deductions will be processed as soon as practical, but this may take up to two months after the absence due to the administration process and checks involved.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you attend all of the elements of your course. If the college informs you that you are not required to attend for any reason, you need to make sure that the college attendance record is marked as an authorised absence and that you advise your Training Officer in advance.

Finally, we must advise you that however justified you may feel an absence is, certain elements of the course you are following are compulsory and all work missed must be made up at the earliest opportunity.

The above policy does not replace any company attendance policy currently in force.

Updated:     14 May 2024