If I take sick leave will new employers be told?

[Elenni]

I am basically being managed out/ bullied at work. My mental health is a mess , can’t sleep (hence online in middle of night). I think I need to go sick for a few weeks to sort my head out and then look for another job. However will a reference flag up sick leave? It is public sector. Alternative would be to use annual leave or struggle on but I am literally only getting 0-2 hours sleep a night and am a complete wreck! (Though not massively obvious as wfh). Thanks for any advice

Sorry you feel like this, I have before and know it's awful. Why do you feel like you are being managed out?

Also currently up stressing about work by the way!

Same here but redundancies!

I'm so sorry to hear you feel like this OP. it sounds like you are highly stressed/anxious so would speak to GP asap. New employers cannot (should not) discriminate against this. Good luck.

I have been demoted in terms of responsibility and they are hyper critical about my work. I just need to leave but not sleeping at all at moment so need to clear my head first

Do you work in the nhs?

Not nhs but arms length body . Would be planning to move to similar

I just know the NHS ask about any sick leave at previous job.

Sorry but this is not correct. Employers certainly can and do ask about sickness absence. and they can "discriminate" against people who have sickness absence records. Even where there is a disability - and that is not the case here - that does not mean that they can't refuse to employ someone with a record of sickness absence.

OP, I'm sorry that you are feeling like this. The only fair answer is that yes, new employers may ask at the point an offer is made, and it is relatively common that public sector employers do ask. Unless there is a substantial record it may only mean that they ask OH to clear the employment; and in many cases if it is related to bullying / stress they may simply discuss how you would cope in the new job.

Have you submityted a grievance about your allegations? This would seem to be a sensible action, and may resolve the issue. Even if the current role isn't likley to improve, redeployment may be an option and is often favoured by HR where it can diffuse a situation.

As for whether you should go off sick - obviously if you are not fit for work, you must take time off. But if you are going to do so, it would be very wise to flag the sicknesss as work related stress as this usually triggers action. If you don't tell the truth then you will probably end up goping back to the same thing or off for months. Getting another job, especially one working from home (which is now being cut back in many places) may not be a matter of weeks; and it is almost certain that lengthy sick leave will raise concerns.

I have not raised a grievance but think I might have to. I have never raised a grievance or taken sick leave before for more than a few days so it’s new to me.

On whether I am fit to work - I don’t know- I am exhausted, literally surviving on hardly any sleep but I can still sit at my desk and do enough that I am working. Nowhere near full productivity though. When my kids were tiny I kept going in similar sleep levels.

My home life is suffering terribly - snappy at my kids and staying in bed during the day at weekends as I haven’t slept at night. (Kids are tweens and dp around so not neglect but still not nice for anyone).

thanks to those that replied - I appreciate it. I hope those others awake in the small hours stressing got some sleep in the end

I have not raised a grievance but think I might have to.

It's impossible to get into the why's and wherefore's here because there isn't enough information. But if you are not sleeping due to the stress then that is not going to help you at work if what you are complaining about is people being critical of your work. With respect, if things are as bad as you say your work is going to be pedestrian at best and possibly rubbish!

I am going to be honest - there are two sides to every story, and whilst I do not disbelieve you, nor do I have the entire context. But even from a neutral perspective, what have you got to lose by submitting a grievance now?

In a worst case scenario - either you lose the grievance but it is clear that relationships have broken down too far to continue or your management are correct (whatever that means - it doesn't matter right now). Generally the public sector response would be, wherever possible, to redeploy you. Not guaranteed, but they prefer to shift people around rather than deal with it.

Best case scenario - you win your grievance. But relationships will still be broken down and in all likelihood HR will look to redeploy, and it will probably be you that gets redeployed. It's not fair, but it's also what actually happens most often.

Your solution is to go off sick and find a new job - without having one to go to you could be off for some time and that sick leave could adversely impact on getting the job. So my solution might get you a new job, and isn't likely to make things any worse because you are already at your own worst case - having to go off sick and still find a job.

Are you in a union?

thanks for the advice. I am in prospect will try calling them

Sympathies OP, I know someone experiencing similar. Contacting your union rep is definitely the right thing to do - they can advise you on possible options.

Also does your organisation have an EAP (employee assistance programme) who can provide support/counselling? In my experience it can really help to talk about issues with someone completely independent.

Hey, I hope you managed to get some sleep.

Talking from experience I would speak your gp asap, explain exactly how you’re feeling and how work is contributing to this - I imagine they would suggest that you take some time off and they can give you a sick note. However, you can also self certify for 7 days before needing a sick note for long term sick.

In regards to future employment I 100% would 100% would not worry about this right now and just concentrate on getting yourself in a better place. If it gives you some reassurance though, uk employers don’t disclose sick leave records unless specifically asked and even then it may not be in their policy to do so. Also a new employer can’t request this information unless they have already given you an offer of employment otherwise it could be seen as discrimination.

hope you feel better soon

I completely understand how you feel. I was bullied at work by my then manager for three years. In the end I moved departments and got a fabulous manager and love my job. But the experience destroyed me and two years on I’m still affected by it. It impacted my mental health, sleep and family life as you have described. My confidence is still not back.
In the past six months I have been brave enough to speak up confidentially as it turns out I wasn’t the only one being bullied by this person. I didn’t raise a grievance but in hindsight I wish I had done but I was afraid.
While I was in the midst of it all, the Union advised me to visit my doctor and take time out. I didn’t of course, I just carried on. I probably should have taken the time.
I would say, visit your doctor, take time out and raise a grievance. It is likely others are also experiencing the same thing. At the end of the day, what’s the worst that can happen? Other doors will open if you are not taken seriously. Your health and family is what matters most x x x