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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about having taken a long period of sick leave

29 replies

santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:16

I’ve had 7 weeks off work. I started this job just a couple of weeks before the first lockdown, and although we were WHF throughout it and therefore on full pay it wasn’t anything like a ‘normal’ day at work. Obviously not my fault, but still. I then found out I was pregnant.

We went back at the start of September. After a couple of weeks the environment was awful. I ended up calling in sick after an awful, bullying meeting. Because of when my baby is due my maternity leave kicked in automatically yesterday, and I won’t be returning to that post so basically I only really worked there for five weeks.

Will this impact on future roles, or will it be an anomaly? I’ve never been signed off before.

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 09/11/2020 08:22

What are you hoping for? To go back to that company and role after the baby is born? Did you agree a return date? What has communication from your employer been like? Is it a big, medium or small company?
I would plan for the worst and start retraining, looking for another job, purely because it doesn't sound as if you'll be happy there. Without saying or doing anything of course.
Are you skilled or a specialist? Making getting another job easy.

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:26

I do say I won’t be returning to that post ...

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 09/11/2020 08:29

Surely it will be counted as 6-7 months working there as you worked at home all the way through until you got sick ?

CherryPavlova · 09/11/2020 08:31

I think we’re like many similar organisations. People interviewing wouldn’t be given details of how long you’d had off sick.

If I did know I’d probably put it down to pregnancy related I’ll health without a second thought.

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:32

Yes, my actual period of sick leave is 7 weeks. But although we were WFH I am conscious it didn’t resemble anything like a typical day at work, so they can’t really comment on what I did do in a reference. Plus, it does feel like taking the piss to have been signed off once I went back even though that obviously wasn’t planned just the least bad of several shit options, TBH!

OP posts:
MarieG10 · 09/11/2020 08:33

Why will you not be returning to that role? Is that your decision or are the company restructuring? You are entitled to return to that job if it still exists. If it doesn't that is a separate issue.

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:33

Thanks cherry

OP posts:
Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:34

It’s my decision marie, I’d have left it in April if it wasn’t for Covid and pregnancy, absolutely bloody awful experience! I just don’t want it to alter my chances of future jobs.

OP posts:
Mellonsprite · 09/11/2020 08:37

It doesn’t look great, but like you said it sounds the least shit option and you aren’t going back.
You worked April - September working from home though, so you were actually working? You’ll be able to describe what you did for your role in that time surely?

LivingoffCoffee · 09/11/2020 08:42

If I did know I’d probably put it down to pregnancy related I’ll health without a second thought.

Definitely agree with this. And potentially, no one would ever even know you were off sick at all.
I'm fairly certain that if your current employer were called for a reference they wouldn't be allowed to disclose your sick leave anyway. They would just confirm that you were employed there from March until you hand your notice in

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:42

We were very limited it what we could do - nothing like a ‘normal’ day. Usually I would work 6 hours or so during the day plus extra in the evening and weekends, over lockdown I was maybe doing an hour or so a day. I just feel a bit guilty, I think, it feels as though I’ve been off for months on end.

OP posts:
Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 08:43

I know living but in a way that makes me worry more, as someone saying that they couldn’t really comment on my skills because of lockdown and sick leave is one thing but I don’t want to be damned with faint praise so to speak.

OP posts:
LakieLady · 09/11/2020 08:57

You haven't been off for months on end though, you've been off for 2 months max. I've worked with people who've been on sick leave for almost the entire duration of their pregnancy, and no-one thinks badly of them for it.

I don't think it will make any difference whatsoever, so try and forget about it.

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 09:00

Thanks so much, that reassures me a lot! Smile

OP posts:
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 09/11/2020 09:00

Very odd to only be doing an hour a day in lockdown. If you couldnt do your jobs at all from home really most places opted to furlough?

LivingoffCoffee · 09/11/2020 09:05

What type of industry are you in? When calling precious employers for "references" its purely asking HR to confirm that you were actually employed there for the dates you've stated on your CV - not for a comment on your skills.

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 09:07

You need to use the last place you worked as a reference as it’s education based, you see.

OP posts:
LivingoffCoffee · 09/11/2020 09:12

Is there someone you could list specifically that would speak more favourably of you, if your worried about it? If not your direct manager - someone else that's a level above you at least?

Trixie18 · 09/11/2020 09:13

It shouldn't affect future jobs. Your absence was due to pregnancy and isn't logged by companies in the same way as other sick leave. It's also very unusual for companies to disclose absence histories on references now due to equality act and GDPR so your new employer will just get your start and finish dates and job title 👍 don't stress x

Original poster
santasicerink · 09/11/2020 09:16

I will have an additional reference so that’s good. I’ve never been signed off sick before so was a bit worried.

OP posts:
Trixie18 · 09/11/2020 09:16

If you're still worried ask for the companies referencing policy, it'll state in there what information they disclose and the reasons why. If they don't have a policy stating otherwise it's dates and title only 🤣

coffeeandjuice · 09/11/2020 09:19

I could be wrong here, but I have a vague memory that pregnancy related sick leave isn't classed the same as regular sick leave. But, it's an extraordinary year I think most of what happens in 2020 will stay there. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

LemonTT · 09/11/2020 10:08

My industry will ask for references and sick leave details before making an offer. Any offer before then is subject to references. Your ex employer has to state facts not opinion. It’s not true they must leave out anything negative.

I am going to be candid because it’s important you have a positive but honest spin. Don’t get caught in a lie because then you have no recourse if treated unfairly.

The reference may raise some eyebrows. And I am not going to lie, I have seen this lead to discussions about how to get out of making the job offer. It may make a difference about how you are managed in post if they proceed. None of this is right or legal but it happens. Employers don’t like people who cost them money and don’t come into work.

You will also be asked about your previous experience in any interview and application. You need to be able to reference this post in some way.

Having a job for a relatively short time can be a negative on a CV. Have a constructive reason for leaving.

Di11y · 09/11/2020 10:13

Their reference should show just the dates you were employed there which would include your mat leave period and what your job was.

Di11y · 09/11/2020 10:14

It's discrimination to ask for sick details before offering a job. They can ask after to ensure they make reasonable adjustments.