Do I need to disclose this to employers?

[contractproblem]

I left a job in May that was truly awful and am now applying to new roles. I was only in that job for about 2 months and really don't want to include it on my CV, which raises two questions:

• Is there any way to conceal this given I'll need to confirm on my new starter form that I've been employed since April?
• My contract has a restrictive covenant that says I must show it to new employers. Is this enforceable? Would I be crazy not to do this? Obviously I wouldn't apply for jobs that were covered by the restrictions

I just really don't want to have to explain this horrible blip on my CV - any thoughts appreciated!

Be honest
it will very likely be discovered

@Pposies thank you, I am going to have a think about what to disclose and how as I agree these things always come to light.

I’m so annoyed I am going to have to explain this to employers after such a short stint but it’s entirely a situation of my own making

Is there no way you can put it on there, with a caveat describing it as not a good fit, or the job wasn't as described? Or whatever the reason was.

Also re the covenant, does it actually state you have to show the actual clause to a new employer, or that there are areas you cannot work in for X amount of time, or details of the company or job you cannot share with a new employer?

You will have to include it, it will pose more questions and doubt to leave the job off or hide the gap.
Did you leave or were you fired?
Surely if you left of your own accord you can make up any personal reason for the 2 months?

@Hadalifeonce yes I can definitely give context at interview stage, it would just be awkward to explain but I can keep it vague.

im restricted from working with any company clients or employees for six months. Its fine because I wouldn’t want to do this anyway just irritating I have to share my contract with new employers

@Honeyhonay I left but it was incredibly toxic and leaving after a short stint with no other job to go to always raises questions.

You may find that the restrictive covenant isn't even legal. You can be restricted from actiely poaching clients and certainly from passing on details of clients to a new employer ut legally. No restrictive covenant can prvent you from earning a living. So if one of those clients or employees contacts your new company entirely of their own accord there is nothing anyone can do about that.

Be honest about the gap, depending on their on boarding processes it may get noticed anyway. So honesty best policy but just keep it to "role wasn't the right fit so decided to leave and focus my energy on job search" type thing.

Covenant - I wouldnt share my contract and never have, Ive always forgotten tbh. Its highly unlikely to be enforceable. Particularly if youd only been there a couple of months and assuming its a blanket c&p covenant and not specific to you, your role or level of seniority.

can you not just include it and say it was a fixed term contract?

Thank you @Comefromaway that’s good to know. TBH I’m less worried about the clauses within the covenant and more about the fact I have to share it with new employers. But I suppose I’ll just have to bite the bullet

@HairsprayBabe it’s not the sort of role that would ever be a 2 month FTC which a prospective employer would be well aware of

@Megifer thanks, that’s good to know about the contract. I think the covenant is just generic, basically saying I can’t poach employees or approach their clients. Which is fair and not something I’d ever want to do anyway

I had a similar situation, leaving a job after 8 weeks, because it was utterly dreadful. I explained the gap by saying I was providing care to a frail family member - not an outright lie, because my dad was very unwell and I was looking after him, before he was admitted to a hospice. However I was still going to work during this time, but I didn't want my new employers to contact the dreadful employers. That was several years ago now and It has never come to light.

If its generic then I would have spent the last two months providing end of life care to an elderly relative. Its not something you are going to be asked to prove and ore or less a conversation ender. A friend of mine used it to cover a short prison sentence.

You have go be consistent- if you don’t put it on your cv you can’t put it on your new starter form.

my issue would be the company contacting your new employer having stalked you on linked in/ asked around. They should awful.

it’s ok to have a terrible job once. Play up that you were brave and decisive enough to know it wasn’t for you

I still wouldn't physically show a previous contract to a new employer. Just abide by the rule.

Won’t it show up on your p45? Just be honest and say the role was not as you expected.

Agree with pp, put it on your CV and be honest at interview that it wasn’t a good fit. No need to say more, the interviewer will know what you mean.