Employment Law / Sickness

ThreeMarks

Okay, I've been in my current job for only 4 months. My previous job I was in for about 3 years until the company went bust.

About 3 months into my current job, I somehow bruised my spice and was unable to sit for long periods. I visited my doctor for this problem, but I didn't need a sick note since I could self-cert for a week and after that I returned to work.

I was back at work for approximately three weeks. After this time I found myself back on the sick because of stress. Without going into detail, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder ten years ago. I had taken medication over that ten years and never had a problem. But since starting this job, I had felt the stress returning to my wellbeing. I think part of this was due to not being happy in my current job, but also simply due to the illness.

Understandably, my employers weren't happy about the amount of time I had taken off work over the short time I have been there. I was called into a meeting a couple of weeks ago for a discussion about my absenteeism.

I was asked to complete a consent form which would allow them to contact my doctor to verify what I had been absent from work with and what I told them. I was fine with this and completed the form. I am now awaiting a response.

I would like to know where I stand legally. In all honesty, I don't feel so bad if I was asked to leave this job because I don't really like the environment, the job or the people - it's just not me.

However, what I am worried about is applying for jobs in the future. I expect that a reference from this employer would detail my absence, but am I correct in saying that they are unable to comment on the nature of the illness? In the right way, I have tried to keep my health problems away from work in the past, not just because it's none of their business, but also because I fear it may back-fire.

What can my current employer say in a reference?

Emmzi

Anything truthful.

In reality few are likely to disclose medical details unless you are asked to sign a data protection disclaimer at some point; but then if you refused to do that new employer would ask why.

What sort of employment would suit you?

Would you be better waiting until your current "flare up" dies down/ is under control of meds before owrrying about this too much? Health first etc.

Personally I think you should read up on the new regs on health and applying for jobs - new employer should try and avoid asking for info on medical conditions before offer stage. But I would also explain your condition to new employer - at some point, you have to trust the employer and personally I couldn't live with what felt like a lie.