Job references- how much can employer divulge?

[Oddcat]

I have been off work with ptsd . If my current employer gives a reference for a new employer can they divulge this ? Can they say that I’ve been off sick for a period of time?

They can comment in your sick record, but can’t specify why you’ve been absent.

They can say anything that is factually true. Many new employers specifically ask about sickness record and they must either answer truthfully or can decline to answer (though that would be very obviously suspicious)

I would write to the new employers separately from the references saying that you don't know whether or not this info will be part of the references process, but you want them to be aware that you have had this block of time off due to PTSD, and that (assuming this is true) you have had treatment and made a reasonable recovery and are confident that this condition is now under control, that level of absence is unlikely to reoccur, and any remaining symptoms will not stop you from being fully able to meet all the requirements of the new role.

Thank you for the replies. It’s all a bit complicated- I had a big block of time off a while ago for a very legitimate reason. My gp has signed me of now for ptsd but I have had counselling and after a lot of digging, the counsellor has concluded that the reason I’m feeling so depressed is down to my job - it’s true- I hate it and the person I work with makes me feel like shit . Which is why I’m job hunting.

Many will ask and the employer can state the number of days taken but not for why. Some just include it automatically as part of a generic reference.