To think that a career break 'for health reasons' won't wreck my career?

[timetoresignn]

I'm in my 20s, so very early on in my career. I've been suffering with my mental health in my current job, and was signed off sick. I did resign whilst off sick, but work convinced me to stay/put things in place to support me which I'm grateful for. However, it's now been several months and I'm struggling again. I think it is the job. I feel like it's a poor fit. I feel embarrassed by the way I act at work, I think it's obvious that I'm uncomfortable there and anxious, despite how much I try. I'm also having health issues and the stress is definitely making my symptoms worse.

My mental health is really low when it comes to work. For example, I had a health scare recently and my first thought was at least it would mean time off work.

I want to hand in my notice. I'm applying to jobs and so far have had a positive response and have interviews lined up. My notice period is quite long (6 weeks), which I think would be long enough to get something in the meantime. But, if not I have enough savings.

My concern is poor attendance in my current job and a potential career break would be an automatic no for future employers. However, I feel like surely it won't be total career sabotage to say that I had a period of poor health and took some time off to recover?

What type of work is it? Any career break is damaging in my field (women routinely work through mat leave), but is fine in other professions where I see people pick up where they left off 6 years later.

You’ve posted about this before haven’t you? I think that as much as your employer has tried to support it isn’t working so it’s time to take some suck leave and hand your notice in.

you can agree with them a basic reference, they don’t need to talk about the issues, and any gap explain by saying you had caring responsibilities that are now complete.

If you're early on in your career, it will be fine. Not sure what type of industry you work in, but normally your absences aren't recorded in a reference (if it's the sort of place references come from HR). It's just confirmation you worked there, your title and salary.

I wouldn't advertise it at interviews. This job sounds like it's terrible for your mental health so leaving is the best option. A single gap on your CV will be fine, just come up with a good reason as to why it wasn't a good fit and you needed time to consider options etc. Don't make it about your time off/health issues.

Good luck!

I'm early enough in my career that taking a break or even starting from scratch again wouldn't really be a problem.

References do have to go through HR, I know they have to be factual but I presumed giving the number of sick days would be included in all references? Is it something I can ask that they don't disclose? I'm not really sure how it works

It varies from place to place of course OP but no firm I've worked for gave this information on a reference which was broadly along the lines of

Date joined
Date departed/departing
Job title upon leaving
Maybe final salary at point of leaving (unsure)

The reason being is that these are very verifiable, factual pieces of information that can rarely be argued with. A company that provides number of sick days for example is opening themselves up to challenges on them being incorrect, being due to workplace bullying or a workplace accident etc which is more the companies onus to explain than the employee so become only really useful when context is provided. The risks of comeback/challenge are pretty high for the firm giving the reference so most wouldn't include this info.

Also, think about it, a company that you're leaving doesn't have any responsibility for your new firm so have nothing to gain by sharing this info - they may be happy (not the right word!) that someone with high sickness is leaving so why scupper that? It's also a resource overhead to pull it together so why bother? If they share the details I mentioned at the top of this, then they've met the needs to provide a factual, accurate account of your time there and everyone's happy.

Which sector?

A lot of companies DO disclose sick days - that's factual.

You're not happy at the job and it's unlikely to change. I think you posted the same a few months ago? Go do something else where you have the chance to be happier, or maybe accept you're too unwell to have a job for now.

I hope that you get the advice you need and it works out ok. Keep us posted! Hugs.