job application asking howmany days iv had sick in the last 2 years iv never been sick but have recently been signed off sick for 4 weeks due to work related stress and i dont know what to put?

[mothersmilkandherchickenseggs]

title says it all really i would obviusly love this job its part time and a lot less stressfull but if i put down that i have technically had 20 days!!!! off sick on one occasion in the last two years it doesnt exactly look very good what would you do?

Is it Occupational Health asking you for a questionnaire before you start? I believe they are still allowed to ask but it should be separate to the recruitment side IYKWIM.

IMHO one long absence with a medical note looks better than lots of short absences (not an HR bod)

hmm the postion is actually for a medical recptionist job at my surgery i think i will leaave it blank my c.v reads well so i guess just keep my fingers crossed unless anyone think that putting nothing will look odd/

I would put '0' then tell them about this time off at the interview.

good old mumsnet an
lways there with an answer Thanks

It is not generally considered good practice to ask this sort of question on application forms because it does not distinguish between maternity or disability related sickness and both of those are protected characteristics and employers must not discriminate against people in those groups. Which is why it's not a good idea to ask the question - either you use the information to help with selection (and potentially discriminate) or why bother asking?

Short term or sporadic periods of sickness is not protected by the Equality Act 2010 so in theory they can ask, but as I've already mentioned it doesn't filter out conditions that are covered so it's not a good question to ask because of the potential to discriminate.

From what you have said your sickness is unlikely to be covered by the provision of the Act. However, I personally would not answer that question because it could prejudice the recruitment process (I am in HR so I'd like to think I wouldn't be asked it!). I would put "not applicable" or "one period of sickness".