lying about sickness on a job application.... help

sqyiggle

I've been really stupid and lied about sickness on a job application form and I'm scared its going to ruin my chances and don't know what to do.

I got desperate after months of applying and not getting any interviews so thought i'd up my chances and play down my absences. I had a month off from dec to jan with a bad back (from my job as a care assistant). I then applied for an admin job in jan and said that I'd only had a week off and had recieved treatment and the problem was fully resolved (which it is). Other than that my attendence over the last 2 years is perfect.

I really need the job and have made it to the second round of interviews but i'm now kicking myself because there is the chance that my current employer will say when asked for a reference about my attendence that i had a month off rather than a week. For the good that slight extention of the truth will have done me it really isn't worth the anxiety it is causing me now!

As far as i know i won't be required to have a medical/give access to medical records but they will specifically ask the referee about my ability to do the job aswell as my attendence and punctuality.

I know it was a daft thing to do but what would be best to do now

1. keep my fingers crossed that current employer doesn't reveal the length of my sickness.
2. confess to current employer, hope she takes pity on me and doesn't give away any more details about the length of my time off than she has to.
3. be honest and confess all at next interview (and probably be discounted imediately for lying)
4. something else????

any suggestions would be welcome as would offers of a time machine?

viktory

It was silly, but understandable. It was also unnecessary as I think a solid month with one problem is far better than a couple of weeks here and there with a multitude of illnesses so if there is a next time be honest.

In your situation I would do nothing and hope for the best. If your potential employer does find out and does ask you, then you can explain.

Hope it all works out for you.

aj2703

sqyiggle wrote: »

I've been really stupid and lied about sickness on a job application form and I'm scared its going to ruin my chances and don't know what to do.

I got desperate after months of applying and not getting any interviews so thought i'd up my chances and play down my absences. I had a month off from dec to jan with a bad back (from my job as a care assistant). I then applied for an admin job in jan and said that I'd only had a week off and had recieved treatment and the problem was fully resolved (which it is). Other than that my attendence over the last 2 years is perfect.

I really need the job and have made it to the second round of interviews but i'm now kicking myself because there is the chance that my current employer will say when asked for a reference about my attendence that i had a month off rather than a week. For the good that slight extention of the truth will have done me it really isn't worth the anxiety it is causing me now!

As far as i know i won't be required to have a medical/give access to medical records but they will specifically ask the referee about my ability to do the job aswell as my attendence and punctuality.


I know it was a daft thing to do but what would be best to do now

1. keep my fingers crossed that current employer doesn't reveal the length of my sickness.
2. confess to current employer, hope she takes pity on me and doesn't give away any more details about the length of my time off than she has to.
3. be honest and confess all at next interview (and probably be discounted imediately for lying)
4. something else????

any suggestions would be welcome as would offers of a time machine?

I wouldn't say anything.......

horsechestnut

Don't ask your current employer to lie for you; it puts him/her in a very awkward position. Even if she was prepared to "help you out", it puts doubt on the credibility of the whole reference.
If questioned at interview say exactly why you put a week instead of a month and that your problem is now fixed.

leedsfan_3

Do not panic most employers will not include absences on references, in fact most will simply confirm when you started and when you left.

sqyiggle

Thanks everyone, I definately won't do it again. So i should just keep shtum, if asked in interview just sort of nod and agree and if it comes out through my references later that i lied just explain why??

pinkshoes

You could just say you made a typo on your CV and it was 1 month off sick, not 1 week?

jdturk

pinkshoes wrote: »

You could just say you made a typo on your CV and it was 1 month off sick, not 1 week?

I'm in agreeance with this, just send the interviewer an email saying that you have been re-reading your CV as you apply for other jobs and noticed that you made a mistake in your absence record, it should read '1 month' rather than 1 week. Apologise for the mistake and emphasise the point that the issue is fully resolved as per the rest of the CV.

If they cancel the interview so be it but at least you will have a clear head

sqyiggle

good point! I'l have to check but think I put '7 days' could always say I meant to put 27 days.

blue-bells_2

I agree with pinkshoes and jdturk, it would show you're trying to be thorough and honest, and could prevent you from an awkward situation at interview!

jdturk

unless you did actually have 27 days off I would feel uneasy stating that number because then you have admitted making a mistake and then if they check and its out it makes it obvious you are covering up a deliberate error.

If you put 7 days then be honest and say you meant to put however many days you actually were off.

As I said you may lose the job interview but you'll have a clear conscience