Any HR wise people about? Reference question

[upthemums]

I've been offered a new position subject to checks, the only check that has the potential to go wrong is references. I've been with my last employer for 7 years but over the past 2 years I've had a crazy amount of sickness. I lost a baby just shy of halfway through pregnancy and missed around 5 months after that. I then fell pregnant again very quickly and had some complications that led to me spending weeks as an inpatient in hospital and a lot of time recouping at home before a full years maternity leave.

I know what the reference template my current employer uses and it does ask on it number of days sickness applicant had over last two years and number of episodes of sickness applicant had over the past two years.

Can they include maternity related absences in this? Can they include the miscarriage? I would hate to lose this offer because of it.

Bumping up

If this comes up in a reference after we have offered a role, we normally go back to the applicant and ask them about their sickness record. I have found that normally, they are prepared to discuss this and we then consider their explanation.

It may be worth you contacting your potential new employer to let them know in advance, the reasons for your sickness.

https://www.acas.org.uk/providing-a-job-reference/what-employers-can-say-in-a-reference#:~:text=However%2C%20an%20employer%20must%20follow,example%2C%20maternity%20or%20paternity%20leave