To tell future employer I had time off for mental health reasons last year?

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I have received a job offer, and I'm terrified it's going to get withdrawn after my future employer sees my attendance records in a reference. I've been asked to fill out forms before starting saying whether I have any health conditions (including mental health), and whether I have a disability under the Equalities Act.

I had time off last year due to anxiety. I'm now on medication and feel a lot stronger.

Please can someone advise me on what is best to do.

Sorry, you said application forms. I thought you meant reference forms. It would be surprising to see this information in an application form!

You can ask in the application process

What you can do
• You can ask a job applicant relevant questions about their disability and health before you interview them, if / when you interview and before deciding whether to give them a job, in order to find out whether they can do something essential to the job.**
• You can also ask a job applicant about their disability and health, if you want to:**
− find out whether they are able to take part in the application / selection process or need special arrangements or assistance (reasonable adjustments).
* monitor the diversity of applicants for jobs you advertise.*
− support positive action for disabled people.
− recruit a person with a particular disability.
− vet them for reasons relating to national security.

I think I will mention that I had some time off due to mental health, but not disclose how much time. That way, they should only mention it if my reference comes back with my attendance levels.

It does say on the form that failure to mention things can result in dismissal so I'd rather be honest

@wheresmymojo yes - that’s why I mentioned it, I’m not making it up 😀

Why would they see attendance records. We wouldn't share this information with an ex-employee's new employer.

Schools happily share info like this like confetti..

@MasterBeth I guess everywhere is different. When our organisation provides references it includes period of time worked, sickness record and a yes or no answer to the question would you hire this person again.

I'm so scared that my offer is going to be revoked. :(

The form asks:

• Have you had any time off work in the last year? I ticked 'yes' but haven't written any additional information - should I?
• Do you have a mental health condition? I've ticked 'yes' and wrote anxiety

The only way they would find out the extent of it is if my reference flags my attendance. I'm in the private sector. I can't do anything but wait until they request the reference and see it

On what grounds OP?

And chances are one of the hiring managers and or HR suffer from mental health issue themselves!

If you had a block of time off for stress/ anxiety which was linked to a specific situation and you have now been treated and are feeling well I don’t think that will be viewed negatively- especially if you can phrase it in a way that shows you have developed skills and coping mechanisms as a result.

If you had a lot of random days/ weeks off it might be more problematic.

Absence aside
what was your relationship like with your previous employer and are you confident that other elements of the reference will be positive?

Tell the truth.

I was in your position seven months ago. I answered the question honestly, words along the lines:

I was on extended sick leave over the last year due to anxiety . My anxiety was workplace specific. I sought help to overcome this period of anxiety and am confident that it will not return.

Good luck OP I hope this helps. Honesty is always best but it is possible to even turn your answer into a positive of sorts.