sickness absence and job search

[redrose80]

I have been signed off sick with general anxiety disorder brought on by work bullying and harassment. I'm currently going through the stages of the grievance process (currently at the informal stage, but increasingly likely I'll have to make it formal)

I've been job searching whilst off sick and found a great job where I meet 95% of the criteria. I don't have one of the qualifications required but I know someone who used to work there who doesn't think it will matter as I have all the other essential criteria and the qualification they require is fairly easy to do/learn.

However, the application says they will contact referees at the shortlisting stage so I'm a bit nervous about that. I have been signed off sick for 2 months (so far) and the closing date isn't until mid June which will likely make it 3 months off sick. I have had zero other absences in the last year and maybe just 1 or 2 days in the year before.

I am also disabled so I have had disability leave also but this should not count.

I am anxious that the reference could ask for my sickness absence record and I'm also anxious that if I am unsuccessful, I could be victimised.

Would appreciate some advice from HR / legal folks

However, the application says they will contact referees at the shortlisting stage

The recruiter sounds inept if they contact shortlisted candidates' current employers before they've made their final decision and communicated a provisional job offer to the successful candidate. That puts the burden of risk on the candidates, if they don't wish their current employer to know they are job seeking.

If you do apply for a job there, make sure you state clearly on your CV "references available on request" so they can't arbitrarily contact anyone outside your control.

They should have no need to ask any probing questions regarding your health until they've offered you the job. By then they will know you are the person they want for the job. At that stage, if they ask you to complete a health questionnaire then you have the choice to declare your disability - they would be on very thin ice if they withdraw the offer after knowing that. Re your current absence, they also run the risk of a challenge if they decide to withdraw their job offer based on that disclosure alone. Best to give information only if asked, don't deceive but at the same time don't feel forced into giving away too much info.

If they are a good employer they will allow for stress absence and try to make your environment conducive rather than vilify you for it.