Sick record and potential new job. Likely to be an issue?

[chailatte91]

I've recently had a job interview which went very well. I'm waiting to hear back from them. They are likely to ask for references if they do offer me the job, and also for my sick record for the past two years. I had 4 weeks off whilst I was having investigations in to abdominal pain, which was extremely severe. I spent a period of time in hospital. It is thought I had a bout of severe IBS or a bad reaction to something. I've had no issues since regarding this. I also had a week off work, as I have just heard the results of a trial which has resulted in issuing someone with the death penalty, as they murdered my closest friend last year. I have taken a week off work to finally grieve and get my head around it.

Do you think that it is likely to have a job offer withdrawn due to these reasons? I've never had odd days off, not once been late. These are my only two periods of sick. Ever. Help please!

Chai I don't really have any advise re your sick record/reference but i did want to say that I'm really really sorry for your loss. I've been through something vaguely similar in terms of a friend being murdered abroad/media etc and it makes it all so much more difficult and almost surreal.

You sound lovely and I wish you all the best with the new job.

chai it is about 15 days in a 12 month period before any action is taken by management so effectively 3 weeks.

These days, references aren't worth the paper they are written on as they contain so little information

Oh wow. I think I must've had about 25. That is in 12 months. But I've never had any sick before. That's worried me a little now. I'm just so worried. It'd be such a shame to be turned down over two very genuine periods of leave. I think I'm just going to have to forget about it for now :( thank you all for your advice.

If your current absence triggers an investigation with HR I don't think you should be too concerned - the previous episode was all above board, and this episode is extremely understandable in what we can only hope are unique, and devastating, circumstances.

You should have an absence policy which will guide HR in how to act, I don't know if you can access that from home. I think a conversation with them tomorrow might help put your mind at rest, the last thing you need right now is to feel any more stress. I think you're right, you wouldn't have been safe at work in your current state of mind.

Don't worry, there is nothing you can do about it. They will have their procedures and it might be like other people on here have said, their organizations aren't bothered at all (mine is particularly obsessed about sickness absence so I wouldn't use it as a likely example).

Even if it is, what I would do in your circumstances is have a conversation with you and if you state it is just due to a really bad year, get your record for the previous 2/3 years and then make a judgement based on that information

Thank you guys for your advice. I'm praying it all goes okay. I can vouch that during the year before I had zero days off sick! Keep your fingers crossed for me

Sorry the shared service centre and your HR Business Partner. Unless you are at a private prison and then won't have a clue what I'm on about!!

You really will be fine, best of luck with the new job