Days off sick

SueC_2

Uncertain wrote: »

Why should asking about somebody's absence record be acceptable?

I can honestly say I don't give a flying fig about the health of any candidate. But I do care, passionately, about the likelihood of them turning up for work on a reliable basis should they get the job.

I realise that past performance isn't always an accurate predictor of future behaviour, but in some instances it's the best we've got.

DCFC79

Gertie_Walker wrote: »

Your potential employer may well think you have been telling porkies. Safest thing is to ask your employer.

no way would i try and decieve a prospective, i tried to recollect how many days ive been off sick and i put down a figure which i believe to be true

scooby088 wrote: »

Or failing that estimate, i am sure even prospective employers would expect you to remember time off sick. Thats if you are already employed or unemployed.

currently employed, i gave an estimate, ive not been asked to write down how many days ive been off sick before, previously ive been asked for last years which i dont have a problem with as i can remember that far back

MrsManda wrote: »

Give an estimate. Unless there's a huge discrepancy between the estimated figure and the true figure I doubt any prospective employer will have a problem with you not remembering the precise details from 5 years ago.

i gave an estimate and i believe its not far off the true figure,

i worked it out to be 22 days which isnt that bad when 12 days of that were for recovery from a tooth extraction

thanks

Uncertain

SueC wrote: »

I can honestly say I don't give a flying fig about the health of any candidate. But I do care, passionately, about the likelihood of them turning up for work on a reliable basis should they get the job.

I realise that past performance isn't always an accurate predictor of future behaviour, but in some instances it's the best we've got.

But just knowing the numbers from the past doesn't tell you this.

They may, for example, have had a lengthy period off for a serious problem that is now 100% fixed.

Or they may be prone to minor ailments on Mondays.......

Vader123

Uncertain wrote: »

They may, for example, have had a lengthy period off for a serious problem that is now 100% fixed.

If 2 candidates are equal in all regards, yet one has 100% attendance and the other has had off 3 months for (insert anything here), which are you more likely to pick.

Its a buyers (employers) market out there right now.

Vader

Uncertain

Vader123 wrote: »

If 2 candidates are equal in all regards, yet one has 100% attendance and the other has had off 3 months for (insert anything here), which are you more likely to pick.


Vader

Which is exactly why you are now restricted in asking these questions before making an offer.

Uncertain

SueC wrote: »

I can honestly say I don't give a flying fig about the health of any candidate. But I do care, passionately, about the likelihood of them turning up for work on a reliable basis should they get the job.

I realise that past performance isn't always an accurate predictor of future behaviour, but in some instances it's the best we've got.

That may be your view and I'm sure many would share it, but we are discussing what is or is not allowed!

SueC_2

Uncertain wrote: »

But just knowing the numbers from the past doesn't tell you this.

They may, for example, have had a lengthy period off for a serious problem that is now 100% fixed.

Or they may be prone to minor ailments on Mondays.......

My point exactly. Which is why, as an employer, I would always want to know the number of days absence a candidate has had, and over how many occasions.

And I really can't see why it would be 'unfair' to ask this.

SueC_2

Uncertain wrote: »

That may be your view and I'm sure many would share it, but we are discussing what is or is not allowed!

I realise that, and that's what I am trying to clarify.

But as yet, no-one has shown me anything that categorically states that we can't ask about a candidate's attendance record.

I appreciate that we can't ask about medical conditions, but my point is, I don't want to. I just want to know what the chances are of them turning up to work each day.

westv

DCFC79 wrote: »

i worked it out to be 22 days which isnt that bad when 12 days of that were for recovery from a tooth extraction

thanks

12 days recovery after a tooth extraction?! That must have been truely awful!

DCFC79

westv wrote: »

12 days recovery after a tooth extraction?! That must have been truely awful!

its what was prescribed by the experts, i was advised to not drive, go to work until 2 weeks,

i knew someone would pick up on that