Sickness record and new job??

[Worriedwilma123000]

Really worrying after having long Covid for six months last year
Ive filled out the health screening that was sent with my conditional offer letter but could they retract it?
So worried - I can’t afford to be without a job

Anyone

Yes that absolutely can retract it when they find out your sickness record. I’ve heard of it many times.

My husband didn't have a great sickness record prior to his current role (mental health related), but it didn't affect his success with it. Occupational health just contacted him before hand to see if any reasonable adjustments were required.

I've just started a new job and was worried due to my sickness record on the reference but I just explained I had had some long periods of sickness that was unlikely to cause further absences and was happy to give more information if required. They never did ask for more information.

Was it one episode of sickness? Or several over a 6m period.
I think employers look at instances as opposed to duration of single episodes.
But yes they can retract your offer based on your sickness record.

They can retract it for any reason but a temporary health issue - unlikely

I have applied for jobs after a long period off sick with a virus, and once having to report a spinal injury. Neither caused issues.

I was told by HR that what companies are really looking at is the dreaded bRadford pattern. Long temporary illness explained by medics is fine. Please try not to worry.

I'm not an expert on this but even if they could retract the offer wouldn't it be very very tied up in disability protections because someone who was off multiple times for random reasons is one thing but someone who has a condition which necessitates e.g. appointments and so forth is a whole different arena. I'm inclined to think long covid falls under the latter.

I would expect A long period is likely to raise less eyebrows than multiple short periods too.

Long covid effects are well documented and if you are now fit and able to do the job, then they would have no reason to retract the offer.

If you'd tried to hide it, then it could be an issue but it sounds like you've been open & honest about it

Was your long covid that extreme that you had to be off work for 6 months? If so, you could explain to them what happened and that it was (I hope) a temporary thing. But ultimately it could be something that concerns them. I don’t know if long covid would be covered by the equality act.

Yes it was that extreme
I had severe back pain and extreme fatigue for nearly 6 months and so was signed off
I returned in January fully recovered with no ongoing medical assistance needed and signed off by OH.
Working full time not adjusted in any way etc
I didn’t see how it would fit to mention it in interview when it’s fully resolved
It wasn’t until I saw the health questionnaire I panicked