Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

high sick leave/new employer

20 replies

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 07:16

am currently signed on with depression (have been for past three months). This is due to to a work situation that is taking far too long to resolve (not an issue with me). I need to leave as my health is deteriorating but am so worried about the impact this will now have on future applications. Ive seen roles at NHS/Civil service I would be keen to apply for but would expect them to look into past sick days? If I agreed a settlement agreement with work, could I ask them not to disclose as part of that and if so would NHS/civil service still need to know

I feel like I am in a catch 22 situation which really isnt my fault

tia for any responses

OP posts:

Original poster

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 07:16

signed off it should read

OP posts:

tenorladybeaker · 21/10/2018 07:28

You can't ask them to not disclose factual information if asked. Many reference requests will specifically ask how many sick days an employee took in the last 12 months of employment. They cannot lie or decline to answer.

You can ask them not to volunteer the information if not specifically questioned.

However, it is better to be honest. If you had had 3 months off work due to being in traction in hospital after a car accident you would feel you needed to hide it. Assuming that this is true, you can say on your application form "I had a period signed off as sick with depression during this period. Having received treatment, I now consider the issue resolved and I do not expect to be so severely affected again as my condition is now well-managed." - It would then be discrimination to use your sick record as a reason not to hire you.

OliviaStabler · 21/10/2018 07:38

Most companies I know only give you the most basic info on a reference. Usually job title and dates of employment. However a new company might ask you to fill out a health questionnaire as part of the offer process.

Original poster

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 07:40

thank you so it might not necessarily go against me?

OP posts:

Bestseller · 21/10/2018 07:45

They can decline to answer Re sick days, just as they can decline to give a reference at all or just confirm dates.

Your current employer will probably be glad to have the matter resolved by you leaving, so whilst any reference must be factual I can't imagine they'd go out of their way to scupper things for you.

AnonaMouse1 · 21/10/2018 07:48

It will be factual

But with over a quarter of the year off sick then I'd be prepared to be scuppered at the interview stage unfortunately

Sohardtochooseausername · 21/10/2018 07:50

I have bad asthma and a lot of sick days. It’s never affected my ability to get a new job. I don’t think legally they are allowed to. I think tracking sick days is more to make sure people are not abusing the system rather than make people who genuinely need time off feel guilty. It would also be a way to understand if people need help from occupational health.

Original poster

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 07:51

thanks all.

Anona what do you mean scuppered at interview? This is what am worried about.

OP posts:

Original poster

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 08:03

does anyone know if NHS /civil service do ask for number of sick days?

OP posts:

Bestseller · 21/10/2018 08:04

I'd expect you to be asked about it at interview, or afterwards if they don't have references first. You'll need a good answer prepared that shows that you've taken ownership of a bad situation and taken steps to help yourself - don't just blame current employer

TheProvincialLady · 21/10/2018 08:09

In most nhs organisations successful applicants have to complete an occupational health declaration. If you have a high level of sickness absence you will be referred to OH and they will look into thit causes of the sickness, whether it’s likely to continue in the new job etc and make a recommendation whether or not to make the formal job offer. There’s nothing stopping you applying and, if you’re successful, explaining your situation.

NerrSnerr · 21/10/2018 08:22

I work clinically in the NHS and on our occupational health forms is asks you to put number of sick days on there.

Original poster

malbeclover · 21/10/2018 08:28

so maybe wouldn't be until after interview?

as I can prove is work related - specific to an incident - would this be looked on negatively though?

OP posts:

lunar1 · 21/10/2018 08:42

When I started working for the nhs you had to declare sick days. That was from student to qualified though so I don't know if that makes a difference. DH has to declare his when he got his consultant job.

Ilikegregwallace · 21/10/2018 08:57

My last offer letter stated that the job offer was subject to pre-employment checks including health and references.

I'd complete the health check honestly and explain your absence as a one off episode due to a unique situation and that you are now back to full health (if you are of course).

daisychain01 · 21/10/2018 12:57

If I agreed a settlement agreement with work, could I ask them not to disclose as part of that and if so would NHS/civil service still need to know

How likely is the settlement agreement to happen OP? If you do agree on a SA, there will be a confidentiality clause in there which means if you are offered a new role in CS or NHS, you are within your rights to remain vague about absence (they tend to ask for information within the past 2 years). You can write to them stating you are bound by a confidentiality agreement (stick to those words) dated xxxxx (ie the date of SA) which means you are unable to respond with more specific information, however you can confirm your health is very good (if this is accurate at the time of writing), no need to say any more than that.

They will not want to dig further, and if they have already decided they want to employ you, it is unlikely to deter them.

Penguinsetpandas · 21/10/2018 13:06

Ask your HR department what they would disclose - a lot of companies I have worked for will only give dates of employment and job title but think it varies by industry. Also look at application forms to see if you have to say. There maybe ways round it like temping even if its an issue.

tenorladybeaker · 21/10/2018 14:44

Do you mean to say that you don't actually have the clinical illness of depression diagnosed, but are having time off work categorised as sick leave when in fact you aren't ill? Apologies if I have misunderstood but that's what as I can prove is work related - specific to an incident suggests to me.

NerrSnerr · 21/10/2018 15:33

Are you actually suffering from depression?

SD1978 · 21/10/2018 15:45

I would address it in your cover letter- you're leaving this workplace because of the depression, which had been caused by the workplace. I don't see why that should automatically stop you from ever having another job If your issues were related to that job only. Admit it all upfront, then if and when you get to interview stage, you're not worried about it coming out.

Flip