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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS interview if you're off sick with stress

54 replies

Iwillhavealargeone · 25/02/2023 14:54

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?

OP posts:
WMH · 26/02/2023 14:09

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

In which case I would put as much effort as you can muster into getting another job. Get out of this job asap if it's not right for you. There's loads of vacancies throughout the NHS at moment.
Being off with stress is never just a few days, it's usually a few weeks.
So if you've had 3 weeks with stress added to covid the answer to the question how many days sickness absence has the employee had in last 12 months is going to be 25 which will not look good

GrannieD · 26/02/2023 14:20

NHS staff cannot actively be looking for another job while on sick leave

LadyLolaRuben · 26/02/2023 14:30

Im NHS director. This is a common scenario. You can go to interview whilst off sick. Request they don't tell current employer/request references unless you are appointed. References will just ask what your absence record is like. They are looking for absences that can reoccur or become a problem. Covid19 affected everyone so don't worry about that.

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 15:49

LadyLolaRuben · 26/02/2023 14:30

Im NHS director. This is a common scenario. You can go to interview whilst off sick. Request they don't tell current employer/request references unless you are appointed. References will just ask what your absence record is like. They are looking for absences that can reoccur or become a problem. Covid19 affected everyone so don't worry about that.

Thank you.
I had 10 yrs in my previous employment and hardly any time off. Letters thanking me for 100% attendance.
I'm not someone who goes off sick at the drop of a hat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 15:50

GrannieD · 26/02/2023 14:20

NHS staff cannot actively be looking for another job while on sick leave

Why not?

OP posts:
tiredwardsister · 26/02/2023 15:59

IME references now are only taken up once the post has been offered. Even if your applying in the same trust/hospital you'll be asked to complete an OH questionnaire there you'll have to state how many days off sick you've had usually in the last two years and why but its unlikely to impact on your job offer as this would be viewed as discrimination, we've taken on staff with significant underlying health problems and not great sickness records.

Butterfly44 · 26/02/2023 16:23

It's fine. You could have applied or had interview anytime. So just go ahead.
Regarding the reference - these are collected after and just confirm the period you worked for them and sickness record, that's all

GrannieD · 26/02/2023 18:04

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 15:50

Why not?

Show quote history

Not sure the reasoning behind it but I remember a conversation with my manager a while ago. I would love to put a sick note in as I am desperate to get out of the office I work in but she told me not too. It's horrible being in a job you hate so much that it affects your health

catherinecawoodrtd · 26/02/2023 18:08

GrannieD · 26/02/2023 14:20

NHS staff cannot actively be looking for another job while on sick leave

Yes they can and they do

topcat2014 · 26/02/2023 18:26

@GrannieD surely no employer "gives permission" for people it employs to look for new jobs?

bakebeans · 26/02/2023 18:52

nHS here. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to reduce your hours. They have to prove they are unable to accomodate you. This has just been finalised re flexi working policy. I think you need to speak to HR or the union if your manager is saying no

LadyLolaRuben · 26/02/2023 21:41

Iwillhavealargeone · 26/02/2023 15:49

Thank you.
I had 10 yrs in my previous employment and hardly any time off. Letters thanking me for 100% attendance.
I'm not someone who goes off sick at the drop of a hat.

Show quote history

You can go to the interview OP. You're not fit for work, you are fit for interview and trying to extract yourself from situation you're in.

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 03/03/2023 08:25

bakebeans · 26/02/2023 18:52

nHS here. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to reduce your hours. They have to prove they are unable to accomodate you. This has just been finalised re flexi working policy. I think you need to speak to HR or the union if your manager is saying no

Application denied
Looking at redeployment

OP posts:
pennylanestrawberries · 03/03/2023 13:06

bakebeans · 26/02/2023 18:52

nHS here. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to reduce your hours. They have to prove they are unable to accomodate you. This has just been finalised re flexi working policy. I think you need to speak to HR or the union if your manager is saying no

Of course they can refuse an application to reduce hours (not saying they’re right to do so, but as long as they’re providing a business justification they can absolutely refuse).

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 03/03/2023 18:59

I know they have every right to refuse. It just feels a smack in the face, but service needs come first. Hopefully they can redeploy me

OP posts:
ancientpants · 03/03/2023 20:01

In education we can't interview without references in place. Am astonished that this isn't the case in the NHS. OP, hope you can make the change that you need ❤️

PleaseJustText · 03/03/2023 20:28

I'm not in the NHS but I'm in a public sector role. If you were off sick with stress my manager would jump at the chance to give you a good reference and help you on your way. We can't get temporary cover for someone off sick because they can't ask when you'll be back. We've had to cover sickness for months at a time because of it. The way our department is structured means there are only 2 people to cover one person off sick while doing their own full time job.

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 04/03/2023 17:50

ancientpants · 03/03/2023 20:01

In education we can't interview without references in place. Am astonished that this isn't the case in the NHS. OP, hope you can make the change that you need ❤️

No NHS is different references are only ever taken up once the job is offered.

OP posts:
Badyear23 · 27/09/2023 23:59

Hi, I get the feeling from your description that you are in health visiting…

Badyear23 · 28/09/2023 00:02

…

vkirby78 · 02/04/2024 17:45

NHS off sick with stress and anxiety due to workplace bullying. Went through grievance process but it came back unfounded. Managers appear to be blaming me for the impact raising grievance had on bullies and are giving me no support. Emails now being ignored.
supposed to be returning on 16th April on phased return but am petrified that it will happen again or even worse (underlying mental health condition).
Bad sick record due to this situation.
Seen another NHS job- can I apply? What about sick record?

Calamitousness · 02/04/2024 18:06

I think you can go for interviews while off sick with stress. The only sticking point would be that it will be declared on your pre employment reference and they could find a way to refuse to employ you at that point. Stress is a particularly bad reason to an employer as it’s likely, saying this through lived experience of managing in the NHS, that the stressed person will either continue to be stressed or be stressed again. It’s not a condition that is easily cured or treated and often makes for an unreliable employee. Not always and I’m not saying it’s not genuine. It’s just often repeated.

Hallelujah2020 · 07/03/2025 22:52

Sorry to resurrect this thread

I’ve got an interview for a band 2 NHS role. I’m not currently in NHS and the role I’m coming from I’ve been in for over 30 years.

I’m currently off work with stress due to bullying and discrimination from line manager which is being investigated but ultimately I just need to go.

Interview is going to be while I’m still off as can’t return due to anxiety of working with this person until investigation is at least underway and I’ve been assigned an investigator.

I’m worried however that my time off with work related stress will be flagged if I am successful. The stress has directly impacted on my disability so all tied in.

BannMan · 08/03/2025 07:34

Hallelujah2020 · 07/03/2025 22:52

Sorry to resurrect this thread

I’ve got an interview for a band 2 NHS role. I’m not currently in NHS and the role I’m coming from I’ve been in for over 30 years.

I’m currently off work with stress due to bullying and discrimination from line manager which is being investigated but ultimately I just need to go.

Interview is going to be while I’m still off as can’t return due to anxiety of working with this person until investigation is at least underway and I’ve been assigned an investigator.

I’m worried however that my time off with work related stress will be flagged if I am successful. The stress has directly impacted on my disability so all tied in.

NHS ask for number of days sickness absence (usually for past 2 years) as part of a reference.
So a prolonged absence of any sort will be flagged and it's likely a referral to occ health would follow to fully assess this and your fitness for work. So I'd just be prepared to be upfront about the reasons for your absence with occ health and steps you are taking to get well.

Good luck

Badyear23 · 08/03/2025 07:47

Badyear23 · 27/09/2023 23:59

Hi, I get the feeling from your description that you are in health visiting…

Ha, I thought the same as I read description…

Swipe left for the next trending thread