Job hunting (NHS) with a bad reference

[PoesyCherish]

I've been working for my current company for a few months. For many reasons it's not working out, the main reason being because my boss won't make any adjustments (reasonable or otherwise) to my working environment to take into account my disability (musculoskeletal condition) and as a result I've had to take several weeks off as sick leave.

I really want to work for the NHS in a different area to what I'm in now. I have some experience and know it's something I can do physically despite my health condition. In theory I can go back to university and retrain via the undergraduate route. There's also the option (hypothetically at least) of getting a job in the NHS and carrying out on the job training. But how on earth do I do that given my current situation?

Every NHS application I've made in the past has asked for 3 years of references including my current / most recent employer.

AIBU to think I'm totally stuffed considering my current job situation? Can anyone think of a way of me getting around this?

[gobbin]

Also absence related to a disability cannot be counted on your sickness records

Yes it can. It just has to be counted separately from ordinary sickness.

[Aintnothingbutaheartache]

Working for a couple of months and having a few weeks off sick is a big red flag.
Not being able to give a reference from an employer is another.
You’ve got to be really honest in applications and interviews.
I wish you luck

[Sarahani]

I agree with the above and would reject high sickness. It hugely time consuming to manage and fucks the rest of the (already pressurised) team up in a major way with people being off for long periods.

[Bagsalot]

Nhs jobs will ask your referee for number of sickness absences over the past 2 years and they will want a reference from your current employer. I would reject a candidate with high sickness rates. Sorry but sickness management is a pain in the neck .

[PoesyCherish]

Also my absence has been mostly extended periods but I've also had one day off with a tummy bug.

Also absence related to a disability cannot be counted on your sickness records

Really? How does that work if a request specifically asks how many sick days an employee has had?

[PoesyCherish]

At what stage would I bring up my absence with the NHS?

@hannnnnnnxo yes I applied previously and was rejected due to "lack of knowledge / experience" however I have since put a lot of time and effort into rectifying this. This was about 6 months ago though so didn't have the issue of absence. Long story in terms of my current employer but I'm attempting to bring it up them again on Monday.

[hannnnnnnxo]

Employers can give bad references provided it’s factual, or else they open themselves up to a lawsuit, this is why many companies have HR deal with references. Your sickness & absence will potentially be disclosed so you’ll have to be honest and navigate around that. IE why would the new role be more suitable for you etc. 1 month off when you’ve only been with the company for a few months may need a bit of an explanation.

Have you applied for NHS opening before and been rejected? Did they give you any feedback as to why?

Also what’s going on with your current employer - are they completely aware of your disability? Why are they refusing to make reasonable adjustments? Have you had a meeting with occupational health? Might be worth involving HR if your manager is being discriminatory?

[Cornettoninja]

NHS definitely do not check references for all potential candidates. HR doesn’t move at any kind of speed when you’ve had a job offer there’s no way they’ve the capacity for that!

All you can really do is be honest and upfront, most people have the capacity to see the bigger picture and if you tick every other box then your chance is as good as anyone’s. you could always offer an additional reference/s given your current employer relationship.

[Happygolucky009]

I work in the nhs, a significant sickness isn't necessarily an issue. It would be be if it's disclosed via the reference, so be honest. Also is your sickness occasional days off or periods of extended absence? If the latter, what adjustments can be made and how would your new department support you to ensure you are a contributing member of the team?

Good luck

[eggstoast]

Most employers just stick to facts x employed for x years, doing x.

Also absence related to a disability cannot be counted on your sickness records.

[shaztwins1]

I work within the NHS and my references where only contacted after I was offered the position.You get a job offer letter pending references and background checks coming back clear.Im in a patient focused position predominantly working with children/vulnerable people.

[Tanner8769]

@Lougle that's not true for the entire NHS. I work in a non-medical bit of the NHS and references are only requested if you're offered the job. Also, ticking the disabled box doesn't guarantee you an interview, it simply means that they ought to interview you IF you meet the minimum criteria. In reality, this is mostly ignored.

[Daisymay2]

Lougle, I don't think that is correct- employers don't have to interview you if you tick the disabled box. However the shortlisting panel have to demonstrate it didn't put you at a disadvantage.

[Lougle]

"References aren’t sought until after a successful interview usually and you can always use different references if you want to."

Not true in the NHS for safeguarding reasons. They are normally always obtained prior to interview, and they will always seek your most recent employer. However, I think the answer here is to be proactive and honest in your application. Explain that you have found your current post challenging due to physical limitations, and that unfortunately, it wasn't a good role for you. However, you will approach intended role in X,y,z way and anticipate that it will be much more successful.

Also, if you have a disability, tick 'yes' to the box that asks you, as I believe that they then have to offer you an interview.

[mythical]

I have recently got a new job, during the recruitment process I was asked for my sickness details. I had a lot of time off work due to stress and work related anxiety. I asked to call the hiring manager and explained the situation before I sent the details off. She said she appreciated me calling and not to worry about it.

[Cuddlykitten123]

It won't be a 'bad' reference. It will be a standard employment ref of 'posey was employed as X from Y until Z and was not sacked. They had x no. Of days off'.
You will need to talk to your employer regarding your sickness and the reasons for it once you have been offered the job and before the reference is received and they will decide from.there if it is relevant to them.

[mythical]

Most references are pretty factual. They just confirm when you worked there.

[PoesyCherish]

Oh and wouldn't it look really bad too if they refused to give one?

[PoesyCherish]

@MatildaTheCat what other references could I use though?

I think I'm worried about my sickness record looking bad. I think I'm approaching about 3 / 4 weeks off now since starting a few months ago (all the days merge into one, I can't remember exactly how long it's been) and that's just up until this point.

[Santaclarita]

If it's a private company, more than likely they will send a reference from hr, which will basically just say 'x worked here for x number of months/years'. That's all mine does as the actual manager isn't allowed to give a professional reference. They can give a personal one if they want, but you don't need to ask.

[lexi727]

@Hidillyho I used to think it was illegal too! Just has to be 100% accurate, hence why employers who aren't a fan of the person asking for the reference usually just choose not to give one

[MatildaTheCat]

You’ve only been there a few months so I think you can explain that this job sadly didn’t work out due to physical restrictions but you are perfectly able to do the new job.

References aren’t sought until after a successful interview usually and you can always use different references if you want to.

Good luck.

[Hidillyho]

^^ I’m wrong. You can give a bad one. Just many don’t because it can’t be accurate. Who knew!

I don’t think being off because of a disability because your employer won’t me adjustments would look bad on you anyway

[Hidillyho]

I don’t think you are legally allowed to give a bad reference? You either give a reference or refuse to do one

[lexi727]

References that aren't 100% accurate can be subject to legal action. So unless you have been a truly terrible employee, then employers usually avoid giving a bad reference to avoid legal action. They can be honest, so they could say that you required lots of adjustments but they wouldn't be able to be inaccurate or unnecessarily harsh about it for example.