Is it illegal to omit a job on an application for a new role?

[unhappyteacher]

I've posted in the staffroom forum about being incredibly unhappy at a school I started at in September. It has made me ill and I'm currently signed off. I know I simply can't return to that school but I haven't formally resigned as I'm waiting to hear back from my union, they're being a little slow with their support.

I would like to apply for a new job. I haven't been in my current post for long long and not having a reference from them wouldn't make a huge difference if any at all as I've done the role before so i have all of the relevant skills and experience. Can I apply for a new job without even mentioning the current job at all? There are no disciplinary issues or performance management issues outstanding so I wouldn't be hiding anything by omission or anything like that. Any advice would be gratefully received.

I don’t think it’s illegal, but if they ask your previous job when you left and the dates don’t add up they could ask questions.

You can include it but give a previous employer as a reference, you don’t usually have to give your most recent manager.

Not illegal, no, but teacher job applications are gone through with a fine-toothed comb. You wouldn’t be able to explain the gap on your CV, and when they find out, it’ll look dodgy and dishonest. Is it the same local authority? I think you need to list the job.

They will ask about gaps. I am a school governor and one of the things under safer recruitment is asking about gaps at interview and checking these out.

If you use a previous employer as referee you could say that you were in the current job for a short time so you felt you needed to use someone who knows you better.

I appreciate your difficulty as you obviously feel that being off sick with stress after a short time in the job might not look well. But I think any hint of dishonesty and covering up will look even worse.

I would strongly advise against leaving it off your application. Better to be up front.

Integrity counts for a lot with me when I am interviewing.

Thanks everyone. Your comments all make sense, I would rather be honest too. I'm just worried that they're going to make it difficult to release me from my contract early which is why I need my union to get their arses into gear and help me negotiate. It's not in my best interest or theirs to keep me locked in just for the sake of it.