Sick days on reference

[LouisaBeara]

Hi all.

I have decided to leave my role as it is making me stressed and depressed.

I have had a lot of time of for an operation and stress. I was wondering how common it is for schools to include a sickness record on a reference.

Thank you

I've been a referee a number of times. It depends entirely on the form sent to me by the school - some of them ask about it, some of them don't. Each school is different.

Schools don't call for references before they've decided who to call to interview, so it wouldn't make a difference to you being short listed. You could then choose to explain it in your interview - how you had x number of years with little/no sickness then you had a one-off operation which caused you to be off - issue now resolved and that your unhappiness in your current role also caused you to need time out, which is why you're excited about the job you are at the interview for as it will allow you to get back to being the teacher you've always been.

Thank you so much for your reply. It's really helpful and reassuring. Thanks again x

Love your response @toomuchicecream

I write a lot of references but as a school we do not comment on absence even if they ask.