NHS interview if you're off sick with stress

Iwillhavealargeone · 2023-02-25T14:54:48+00:00

I have applied for other jobs as I am not happy where I am - I have asked for support and a reduction in hours and I am being ignored - I have started to apply for other jobs. In the meantime if I were to go off sick, how do I stand going for interviews?

StrapOnYourHeroHair · 25/02/2023 15:13

What do you mean? Nobody at the NHS or your current job would know. Are you asking about what you’d tell the prospective employer? Or how you’d get off sick leave when you got a new job?

Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 25/02/2023 15:33

Am I allowed to go for interview if I'm off sick

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Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 25/02/2023 15:34

References would be sought from my manager who would know Id gone for the interview whilst off sick
Can they give me a bad reference

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topcat2014 · 25/02/2023 15:34

Allowed by who? You are an adult now, you don't need permission.

Being off sick from one job is ideal cover for going to an interview.

pennylanestrawberries · 25/02/2023 15:37

I guess you could argue that you would have taken annual leave to go to the interview, but you can’t take annual leave if you’re off sick.

But I really don’t think it actually matters, I doubt anyone will ask you to explain or justify.

kweeble · 25/02/2023 15:52

I would go for interviews but ask them not to contact your current manager unless you’re offered the job. If I did get the job you would need to let your manager know that they’ll be asked for a reference and be very nice to them!

strawberry2017 · 25/02/2023 17:14

Is going off sick going to go against you in a new job. Absence records count against you so if you can stick it out till you find something new.

topcat2014 · 25/02/2023 17:15

What do you think happens outside the public sector?

People have to lie all the time, or else no one would ever change jobs.

And, no permission to take up references until job is offered.

Peekingovertheparapet · 25/02/2023 17:19

I took someone on who was off sick with stress when we interviewed them. Sometimes a new start is all that is really needed. They had the right skill set, and I nurtured them through their first months. They are now first in line in my succession plan, and were so wonderful to me quite recently when some poor behaviour from senior leadership had me in years.

As a hiring manager I’d be ok that someone had had time off, but I would want you to think clearly about whether you are well enough to commit to the role. In the example above the candidate was taking a small pay cut and moving sector, which I could see would give some of the things they needed to recuperate.

vdbfamily · 25/02/2023 17:36

do you currently work for NHS? Are you looking for other NHS jobs or non NHS?

catherinecawoodrtd · 25/02/2023 17:38

You can attend interviews and request your current line manager isn't contacted unless you are offered the position. Pretty standard. Also NHS references are generally pretty bland now, confirm your start date, any sickness and if you were subject to any investigations or disciplinary. Other than that there's usually nothing else the new employer wants to know as references in the past were subjective and they could be glowing to get rid of a nightmare employee. It's fine if you are offered the job to say you are off sick with stress and let occupational health assess things. I would t say anything before an offer though. Good luck!

DiddyHeck · 25/02/2023 17:46

Are you actually planning to go off sick?

StrapOnYourHeroHair · 25/02/2023 21:42

Iwillhavealargeone · 25/02/2023 15:34

References would be sought from my manager who would know Id gone for the interview whilst off sick
Can they give me a bad reference

A reference would just be sought from your employer not your manager (unless you deliberately asked them to speak to someone for a more personal reference) - I.e. HR - and there would be no absence information in a standard letter. It’s generally just ‘I can confirm that X worked at X company in the role of X from X date to X date.

Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 05:35

DiddyHeck · 25/02/2023 17:46

Are you actually planning to go off sick?

No, not planning to go off sick, like I'd plan to go away.
But if my mental health deteriorates to an extent I can't work, then yes I'd go off sick.

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Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 05:36

vdbfamily · 25/02/2023 17:36

do you currently work for NHS? Are you looking for other NHS jobs or non NHS?

In the NHS now and looking for another NHS job

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BannMan · 26/02/2023 06:48

Not a problem going for interview when off sick, lots of people do that.
But remember NHS references often ask your employer how many days you've been off sick in last 12 months (our trust does). So I'd be looking to minimise sickness absence days as much as possible if you're looking for new job

Cantchooseaname · 26/02/2023 06:52

I’m not sure- as a teacher we need to ask permission. If I have a fit note that says I am unable to do my job, then go for an interview (which may involve teaching) it would be misconduct. I would take specific advice from your union.

vdbfamily · 26/02/2023 07:28

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 05:36

In the NHS now and looking for another NHS job

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If I was in a job that I was struggling with to the point of going off sick, I would ask for a referral to Occupational Health and talk to them about it as they may be able to recommend reduced hours etc.
Have you done a flexible working request formally and had an interview about it
My advice would be to read the flexible working/ work life balance policy and follow it to the letter.
Managers cannot argue with policy, and if they do, HR can get involved. However, your request has to also fit in with needs of service which is the tricky one.
You may also be able to ask for redeployment to same grade, different job if current situation cannot be resolved.
As a recruiting manager in the NHS,I would have some concern re interviewing someone currently off with stress and if you did not tell me at interview, that info might be shared after you are offered the job. However, it would be illegal to not offer you the job for that reason as discriminatory and if you were best at interview, or job was offered and then withdrawn, you could challenge that.

catherinecawoodrtd · 26/02/2023 08:25

@vdbfamily

Whilst it may be illegal not to offer based on being off with stress, it absolutely happens.

The interview isn't a health screen and that information should be between the candidate and occupational health.

One job can cause you inordinate amounts of stress (usually down to unsupportive or incompetent managers) where as another job doesn't make you ill.

Or you could be working in palliative care or ED and be finding it too stressful but could feel a lot more settled in radiology or day surgery.

I interviewed someone once who was an outstanding candidate and was open at interview about her sick record with stress. The other panel members didn't want to offer to her and I had to fight for that to happen.

She was a great member of staff and thrived in the new role, taking over from me when I left.

jelly79 · 26/02/2023 08:27

Assuming you are signed off with work related stress changing jobs would positively impact that so therefore you absolutely should be going for interviews :) good luck x

SnappyTheCrocodile · 26/02/2023 08:30

I applied for a different job whilst off sick with mental health issues (very much related to stress/burnout) and got the job. I moved into a new area with less acuity and a more stable future (lots of chopping and changing of government directives etc. in old role). I’m feeling 100 times better.

Hoppinggreen · 26/02/2023 08:31

Iwillhavealargeone · 25/02/2023 15:34

References would be sought from my manager who would know Id gone for the interview whilst off sick
Can they give me a bad reference

They can give you a factual reference. If there are provable facts that are “bad” they can mention them.
However, a large organisation like The NHS probably just gives a standard one, which may mention sick days taken

Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 09:40

vdbfamily · 26/02/2023 07:28

If I was in a job that I was struggling with to the point of going off sick, I would ask for a referral to Occupational Health and talk to them about it as they may be able to recommend reduced hours etc.
Have you done a flexible working request formally and had an interview about it
My advice would be to read the flexible working/ work life balance policy and follow it to the letter.
Managers cannot argue with policy, and if they do, HR can get involved. However, your request has to also fit in with needs of service which is the tricky one.
You may also be able to ask for redeployment to same grade, different job if current situation cannot be resolved.
As a recruiting manager in the NHS,I would have some concern re interviewing someone currently off with stress and if you did not tell me at interview, that info might be shared after you are offered the job. However, it would be illegal to not offer you the job for that reason as discriminatory and if you were best at interview, or job was offered and then withdrawn, you could challenge that.

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its not just work, but work isn't helping
OH have referred me for counselling
Flexible work request submitted
The job isn't for me. I want out. Hence looking for new roles.

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Original poster

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 12:19

Hoppinggreen · 26/02/2023 08:31

They can give you a factual reference. If there are provable facts that are “bad” they can mention them.
However, a large organisation like The NHS probably just gives a standard one, which may mention sick days taken

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I've already had 2 weeks off with Covid - It floored me

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topcat2014 · 26/02/2023 13:53

Out of interest, why is it discrimination not to offer someone with a poor sickness record a job?

Most employers would run a mile.