To think I'm stuck in this job

[StarShank]

Earlier this year is had to go into hospital and had 2 months off sick. I really want to change jobs but I think I must have to wait until June next year (that's when I returned to work) in order for my sickness record to "reset".
References ask how many days in the last year you have had off don't they? Who is going to employ someone who has had 2 months off sick? :(
Mr marriage is breaking down and I just want to up and leave and start again but I feel like I'm stuck until June.

I found this volunteer position where you pay a small fee and get room / food in exchange for work but I can't even do that can I because my reference from this current job will be awful "she was off for 2 months and left before she got back to being on full duties and hours".

June feels so long away. I hate bloody references.

[ilovesooty]

You might find this thread useful.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/employment_issues/a1465648-Absence-record-reference

[StarShank]

Oh god that suggests two years :'( I actually want to give up and die. I know that is ridiculously dramatic! Seriously though I can't do this for another year and a half.

[GritStrength]

Well I think it depends on your circumstances. If this was an illness/injury that is now resolved and not expected to reoccur then that is perfectly explainable.

[CurlyWurlyCake]

There may be hope, when I reply to references I only tell them the position the employee held and the time they spent doing the role.

We never answer the other questions. Do you have a HR dept you could ask in regards to reference request replies?

Lots of luck

[NunoBettencourt]

I always thought the number of incidents of sickness made a bigger impact? And from what I remember of my recent job hunting both questions were asked; number of days and number of incidents. I think you'd be fine to start applying for jobs

[PoundingTheStreets]

Lots of people have a less than ideal job history. That's where a good covering letter makes all the difference. For example, someone with a criminal record for a minor offence who takes the time to write a decent letter explaining the circumstances, why things are now different, what they've learned and what they can now offer to the job will often get taken more seriously than the never-in-trouble candidate who gives the impression that this job will only be short-term fix until they're on to bigger and better things.

You've had a rough time physically. That's not your fault and could happen to anyone. If you can present yourself as reliable, trustworthy and able NOW, your health history won't handicap you anywhere near as much as you think.

Good luck.

[dalekanium]

I had two months off earlier this year. Hasn't stopped me jobhunting. Hadn't even occurred to me it might be an issue.

Employers would be far more concerned about a pattern of absence (eg every Monday off with hangover, or patterns of absence a recurrent illness) rather than a couple of months with an illness that is now resolved.

A colleague was offered a job, few years ago she had had 6 weeks off earlier in the year with stress and MH issues which she put down on the sickness monitoring form, and she also mentioned that she had a couple of migraines a year. They called her back for a medical assessment she was really worried that they'd retract the offer on the grounds of her MH absence . they weren't interested in that, they just wanted to check that her 2 migraines a year were under control! She said yeah, I take aspirin and go to bed, they said great, that's fine and offered her the job.

[ilovesooty]

A two month absence involving hospital would be far less worrying than a health record with lots of short term absence.

I'd start applying.

[thursday]

It's not impossible. Not all employers ask, not all employers write you off for a period of illness. One period of absence like that is better than lots of odd days off with 'virus' 'migraine' in the scheme of things. Is it a routine question in the field you're in? Would your employer divulge the info? Most references in my industry are just title and dates of service, and likewise that's all we provide. Not that you should lie about it, but when asked you can explain rather than a stark X days on paper.

[StarShank]

Glad to hear it's impossible.

Been researching live in jobs abroad, suicide methods and alternative communities (like hippy communes). I need to get out of here. But probably won't because I'm weak. /self-pitying dramatic.

[StarShank]

Possible!