New job offer - references and sick leave

[funkyrobot]

Hello all.

As per my thread below, I've finally been offered a new job.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

However, I'm concerned that the offer will be withdrawn due to some recent sick leave. Details can be seen in my thread. To sum up though, I have had a terrible relationship with my manager which meant I have had to have some time off on sick. I was signed off by a doctor for anxiety/depression relating to my current role.

Now we are the reference stage, is there a possibility that my offer could be withdrawn due to my sick leave?

Does anyone think it is wise to contact my potentially new employer and explain the situation before they receive a reference? I could explain that it is related entirely to the current role, and as I am leaving, I won't be suffering anymore.

I haven't been asked anything relating to sick leave yet.

Thanks.

Edited by funkyrobot on Wednesday 25th May 12:39

[parabolica]

References are usually to confirm dates of employment and job title only. We never ask for any details other than those, and when references are sent to us for ex-employees we only confirm the aforementioned data, even if they ask for other things. I haven't read the other thread in full - what size of organization do you work at? If they have dedicated HR they will only confirm the above info; just make sure you put them as your reference contacts.

Personally, if I received a reference from an ex-employer saying that someone had sick leave during their employment it wouldn't even register with me - your new employer has no-way of knowing what the illness was/is, what is was caused by, mitigating factors etc. The whole reason you get probationary periods is to monitor that kind of thing. But if your illness was directly linked to the relationship with your old boss, then hopefully you won't have any issues going forward.

good luck

[funkyrobot]

parabolica said:

References are usually to confirm dates of employment and job title only. We never ask for any details other than those, and when references are sent to us for ex-employees we only confirm the aforementioned data, even if they ask for other things. I haven't read the other thread in full - what size of organization do you work at? If they have dedicated HR they will only confirm the above info; just make sure you put them as your reference contacts.

Personally, if I received a reference from an ex-employer saying that someone had sick leave during their employment it wouldn't even register with me - your new employer has no-way of knowing what the illness was/is, what is was caused by, mitigating factors etc. The whole reason you get probationary periods is to monitor that kind of thing. But if your illness was directly linked to the relationship with your old boss, then hopefully you won't have any issues going forward.

good luck

Thanks.

Small, single site organisation with around 100 staff. Dedicated HR person, who is my reference.

I'm due to return to work on Tuesday after two weeks of being signed off. The reason has been the job and the complete lack of support and generally nasty attitude from my manager. I'm guess I'm worrying as I have finally found a way out which will stop me being ill, but I don't want it scuppered by things caused by my current role.

I'll speak to the current HR person and see what they say. I guess not saying anything to the new company unless I'm specifically asked is the way to go.

[bigunit00]

[quote=parabolica]References are usually to confirm dates of employment and job title only. quote]

This. I think you are worried about nothing.

[Flooble]

You may find that if they offer Health Insurance as a Benefit they will decline to cover you for a pre-existing condition, but that's about all I can think of.

[Soov535]

Do not worry. You have nothing to be concerned about.

100%

HR will check your job title and time of employment and nothing more.


Relax bro.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks all.

Still a bit worried, but less so now.

[Trabi601]

Surely you have, at some point, been asked about your absence record?

I can't recall the last time that question wasn't brought up somewhere in the application process. For my current job, it required a referral to the company doctor for a full 'MOT', and 2 yearly checkups ongoing.

[funkyrobot]

No. I haven't been asked anything whatsoever about my sickness record at the moment. If they had asked, I would have told them the truth. They know the reason I am leaving my current role anyway.

When I had my initial interview, I was on leave.

I had an interview at a different place last week and they didn't ask me either.

[Flooble]

I am pretty sure most people don't generally ask during interviews now, for fear of tripping over some or the other bit of discrimination legislation even accidentally. Even the polite smalltalk makes me (as the interviewer) nervous - don't ask if a young woman is married in case it is perceived as checking whether she is planning babies ...

In fact, every job I've applied for since the year dot has only included sickness checks when it gets to the HR and references stage. I suspect it would be thin ice to discriminate on sickness at that point anyway though, short of starting to pry even deeper into the record. Like I said, I suspect the only reason for asking is in case of offering Health Insurance.

[4x4Tyke]

In the bad old days it used quite common to ask/be asked about sickness history, it now considered discriminatory and is one of a big list of topics that cannot be asked about. Previously I worked at large PLC and I had to complete a day long training course, as a prerequisite for conducting three 1 hour technical interviews. It was mostly what I considered to be common-sense, but I shocked at the number of other attends who at first considered it to be reasonable to ask about things like marriage status or religion.

After the offer has been made you may be asked to complete a monitoring questionnaire, but this cannot be used as part of the selection.

[funkyrobot]

I've just visited work and spoke to the HR lady. She said she will give me a reference, but it will only be dates worked and job position held. She said they don't say anything else (even positive stuff) anymore as it is too risky.

Result.

She is quite shocked I'm leaving. I had a very constructive chat with her about the role, why I'm leaving, the problems I've been having etc. There was no emotion involved and it was very straight and to the point.

She genuinely seemed quite sad that I am leaving. Being a small business and due to the status of my manager, there isn't a lot they can fix though.

Very positive result in the end.

Thanks again all.