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Original poster

is 87% attendance really shit?

35 replies

nailpolish · 03/03/2009 17:12

i think this is why i havent got a job i recently applied for

the reason i only have 87% attendance is i fucking hate my job and have skived a few times

if i had a job i liked then i wouldnt have such a shit attendance

but i cant really say that on the application form can i

OP posts:
Littlefish · 03/03/2009 17:20

Sorry you're feeling so low, but if I'm honest, I think that 87% attendance is really low.

Over the course of a year, if you have had 20 days annual leave, and 5 days for bank holidays (no idea if that's right), then you have missed 45 days work.

That's nearly a day a week.

If you could get your attendance up to over 90% it would look much better on a job application.

Had the new job taken up references? Do you think your current company might have written you a neutral reference?

mankyscotslass · 03/03/2009 17:20

As an ex-manager one of the things I looked at on applications was absence in the last 2 years.

I was not so concerned about blocks of absence that had understandable reasons, or even long standing conditions, because these could be investigated and dealt with by our OH team, but one or two days frequently here and there really set alarm bells off.

Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

Totally understand where you are coming from....the job I had as manager was one I hated, and I couldn't wait to get out of there.

Mutt · 03/03/2009 17:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lulumama · 03/03/2009 17:22

oh i am sorry if this holds you back

and am sorry your job has been so horrible you hvae not gone in

have oyu asked for feedback?

ramonaquimby · 03/03/2009 17:22

87% is really low, would send alarm bells for me too

morningpaper · 03/03/2009 17:23

aw yes that is annoying

lots of jobs don't ASK that much about attendance though

can you avoid giving your current employer as your refereee?!?!?!?

Original poster
nailpolish · 03/03/2009 17:23

i have made an appt with my current employer for next week to talk about things

i dont work full time i work shifts - and i dotn get AL its a zero hour contract

OP posts:
Feenie · 03/03/2009 17:24

Sorry you're feeling crap, nailpolish

Original poster
nailpolish · 03/03/2009 17:24

hmm thats a possibility MP
previous jobs i have had super attendance
i could ask for someone ive been contracted out to work with THANKS

OP posts:
GrapefruitMoon · 03/03/2009 17:25

In my previous job more than 5 sick days a year would have been looked into - esp if they were self-certified...

Original poster
nailpolish · 03/03/2009 17:25

i applied for the job last week and they said id "hear by friday"
i didnt
i sent an email on monday to ask for feedback - ive not heard anything at all

OP posts:
Reallytired · 03/03/2009 17:28

I think that unless you have a specific problem then 87% attendence is shit. Most jobs aren't that great otherwise it wouldn't be necessary to pay people to do them.

Admitally my attendence has been poor at work recently. I have SPD and my job is very physical. I have not had any non pregnancy related sick leave though. I would feel cheesed off if my sickness record from this year stopped me getting a promotion. Still my employers have been good to me and not hassled me in any way. Hopefully my sickness record will return to respectably after I return from maternity level.

Mutt · 03/03/2009 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flowerybeanbag · 03/03/2009 19:49

Did you have to give details of attendance on the application then?

I don't think avoiding giving your last job as a referee will help you there. If a declaration about attendance is expected, you will have to state it, or lie, which is obviously not a good idea. How would you avoid using current employer anyway - would you just remove them from your cv altogether?

87% is very poor, unless there is something major like a broken leg or whatever involved. It would certainly concern me I'm afraid.

On the bright side they may just not be very organised with their shortlisting or someone may have been off sick - it seems like forever but so far it's only two days later than you were told you'd hear. I wouldn't assume anything just yet.

FatController · 03/03/2009 19:59

If you "Fucking hate your job" this may be coming through in your application form or any interviews you attend, it's really hard to sound upbeat and positive about things if you are unhappy. Have you asked a friend/ someone you know who works in recruitment for feedback on your applications?
If you have such a high absence rate I would expect a potential employee to explain on the application why it was so bad - if it was a block of long term sick for a broken leg or pregnancy related illness that would be OK.

ScottishMummy · 03/03/2009 20:19

can you look for an internal transfer?nurse bank in another ward.why don't you like your job

unfortunately your low attendance will alarm prospective employers.try get in another area,feel better about yourself

Original poster
nailpolish · 04/03/2009 09:01

fatcontroller - i did extremely well at interview actually - the interviewer told me she would "grab me with both hands" if it was entirely her decision

after the interview they said they would be int touch "by friday" after contacting my references

OP posts:
Original poster
nailpolish · 04/03/2009 09:02

i am, if i am allowed to say, very very good at my job

where i work at the moment has the most awful politics and its getting me very down just now

OP posts:
foxytocin · 04/03/2009 09:09

erm, schools want a minimum of 95% attendance for the kids. So I think employers are looking for at least this too?

duchesse · 04/03/2009 09:12

87% basically means you are away for more than 1 day in every ten (ie more than one day a fortnight). It is pretty poor, yes. I am surprised your current managers have not been debriefing you on your return from absence each time.

The more mature way to deal with the unpleasant job would have been to engineer a new job as quickly as possible, and avoid absence as much as possible. In any future interview (and without badmouthing your current employers), make sure you let them know that there were stresses at work that led you need so much time off. And for god's sake make sure your attendance in your next job is exemplary!

ScottishMummy · 04/03/2009 09:16

on paper have poor attendance that alarms any employer,regardless of ability.you need to sort it out.start attending or change jobs as this will hamper you getting posts

Original poster
nailpolish · 04/03/2009 09:17

fo course i wont bad mouth my current employer
im not a complete idiot

as i said, i did extremely well in interview
its just the reference that im worried about

i know my attendance is bad. its very difficult going into work. my employer couldnt give a toss though. its me who has approached her asking for support. and not getting it. reason one i am looking for another job but i didnt say that at itnerview

OP posts:
Original poster
nailpolish · 04/03/2009 09:19

right ok i shall aim to have good attendance for the next 12 months then apply for jobs then

if i dotn have a breakdown before then

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 04/03/2009 09:21

how does a zero hours contract work with absence? where i am only hours you are contracted for can be calculated as part of absence. so if you rang in sick for any other hours ie overtime, you aren't 'penalised.'

ScottishMummy · 04/03/2009 09:23

look you must know nhs jumpy about poor attendance.bradford acores and all that.so yes start attending for 6mth at least

they are cautious employing someone off all the time,as it is hassle,short staffed,they need agy/bank in to cover.lots of absence is indicative of something wrong and in your case it is stress/politics

why cant you join nurse bank, try other wards?potentially sparkle and attend for another wd mgr?