I'll try and keep this brief in case I'm outed.
Up to September 17 I'd been working in a school which academised and to cut costs my role and others were cut/reduced, etc. so I had to move on but did so with a glowing reference.
Next job in another school from September-December 17 term. Missold, chaotic, cliquey, bad fit. But on my second day I was informed that Mum's bowel cancer was terminal so naturally I was beside myself. Not only that but my partner became ill too. So naturally there were absences and I made the decision to leave after 1 term to share in Mum's end of life care. (I'm so glad that I did.) Despite everything they paid lip service to being understanding and that they'd give me a reference. They did, BUT...
Current role was almost withdrawn due to the usual needing references from previous employer (them), and a role I interviewed for before that which I was offered was withdrawn due to my "excessive sick leave" with no mention of the circumstances. (NB I really didn't want to give this place as a reference but had to as it was the then previous job.)
I've been approached for a new role where they want references from last two employers. Current one shouldn't be a problem but that bloody unsuitable one term role before that needs to be mentioned! I'm stressing over this as I haven't mentioned to my current employers that I've a new role in the pipeline in case that previous role scuppers my chances. I'm stressing about it.
What would you do? Tell the approaching agency that you only stayed one term because of your dying mother and sick partner so naturally you weren't performing at your best? Is honesty the best policy or is even the fact that I'm going to alert this going to make me look shifty? I'm just so sick of one unsuitable short role carrying so much clout! 