Off sick but looking for new job - help!

Love2run

Hi everyone, I'm currently off sick from my job, have been for four months now. Off sick due to stress, some caused by things happening outside of work but mostly caused by work and a boss who treats staff like dirt.

If I go back to work I'm probably at the stage that they will fire me, so currently looking at other jobs. I know the decent thing to do would be to leave so someone else can have my job, but the thing is they never replace anyone who leaves, our team has gone from 35 to 5 in a couple of years.

When I'm applying for jobs, what should I say about my sick leave? I'm so worried that I'll never get another job

foxwales

Honestly, you need to be honest and that is not going to go in your favour, but if you lie, then your new employer is entitled to request details of your abscences from work from your previous employer, so either way, you may not get a job offer.

It's a difficult situation, because if you state you were off work because of outside of work factors causing you stress then your new employer may see you as being a liability, although if you state that you were off work due to work related stress, then again your new employer may think that you can't hack the working environment.

So my advice to you is to just be honest.

Uncertain

I agree with jdturk.

It may be possible (either through a formal compromise agreement or otherwise) to have an agreed reference from your current employer if they are looking to push you out with the minimum of hassle.

The are unlikely to agree to write anything that they feel is not true but it is perfectly possible to agree a form of words that focuses on the positive! Many firms these days will only provide a basic factual reference and will not answer detailed questions from prospective employers so this need not seem odd.

Love2run

Thanks for your replies. :beer: It's just such a difficult situation to be in. I'd definitely be honest, as I'd rather not get a job than get sacked for lying. Just need to hope someone realises that I'm a hard worker and worth employing, rather than someone who gets stressed over nothing. It's definitely not nothing!