Asking about attendance record before being asked to interview

[queribus]

Bit of background: I applied for a job in March and was offered an interview. I was unable to attend the interview date as I was on holiday and no alternative date was available. The same job was advertised again last month with identical jd and person spec. I applied again with pretty much an identical application (CV and letter).

I received an email asking for reasons for my career break, my attendance record in my prevoius employment and a contact for a reference. I haven't been offered an interview, just asked these questions.

Is this reasonable, usual? I don't have any issues with my attendance record and I left my last job as the work/life balance was horrendous, incompatible with my family life, and I could afford not to work for a while.

Brief research suggests that they are not supposed to ask about attendance in this way. I really want the job but I'm perplexed why I was offered an interview last time but now they are asking for more info before asking me to interview with an identical application.

Any advice, particularly around how to respond to the email. Thanks

Anyone?

I think perhaps the person who got the job in March was very poor at showing up or was very bad at the job and now they are being extra cautious? I had a job where the whole interview the questions were based on what I would do in quite specific scenarios and I remember thinking it was odd, I later found out they were all situations my predecessor had messed up in!

If I were you I would just give them all the info they want and then you'll probably get an interview :)

I agree with roselondoner, it's not a massive request.

I would reply quickly answering their questions as positively and fully as possible. Show that you have nothing to hide and are co-operative and helpful. That should work positively in your favour.

Thanks. I did wonder about that roselondoner. I can answer positively, just felt a bit odd at this stage.

Common request where I come from. Also common for employers to only send attendance records as other subjective references can become a liability.

I would be uncomfortable with a reference being obtained from my current employer!!