References about sick leave

gizmo111

Are employers allowed to give details of sick leave in a reference. I have quite a lot of sick in the past 8 months due to a car accident and treatment needed - all more or less sorted now. Shoudl I mention this at interview to pre empt the references?

AP007

I have always thought they could but I am not 100% sure

gizmo111

AP007 wrote: »

I have always thought they could but I am not 100% sure

No nor am I - I remember something a few years ago and the internal applcation form being changed to not being asked but I think that was the DDA legislaition. ust wondering if I should mention level of sick at interview and explain it is a one off, or is that likely to put them off offering a job?

AP007

gizmo111 wrote: »

No nor am I - I remember something a few years ago and the internal applcation form being changed to not being asked but I think that was the DDA legislaition. ust wondering if I should mention level of sick at interview and explain it is a one off, or is that likely to put them off offering a job?

There are plenty of application forms out there that ask you as I have seen them and filled them in.

ValHaller

I think in your position I would be inclined to preempt. If it was not covered on the application for, I would provide the information immediately if the job were offered rather than at interview,

mozzie1

The Equality Act 20120 prohibits employers from asking applicants about their disability, health or sickness absence prior to being offered a job. So they should not mention this at interview stage.
They can, however, ask about sickness record in a reference but they would also ask about your ability to do the job, if your old company would employ you again etc?
So if you are expecting a good reference from your old employers because you have done a good job and have had no issues with them then I would not be worried.
Unless they have been difficult over your absences. If they had it might be worth pointing out at interview that you previously had an accident during your time in your old job that you had to have some time off for but maybe then mention how you organised cover or workload or kept clients up to date etc so that a real positive message comes out of this.
If your old company had no problem with your sick leave then maybe worth mentioning to them if you are offered a job and references will be followed up could they say if they are asked about sick leave to stress that this was down to an accident and that your sick days off prior to this have been 0??? days or nothing out of the ordinary. After all you had a car accident... think it's different if you are having days off every month for a 'cold'. They say different things about your work ethic and most employers should make a differential.

gizmo111

mozzie1 wrote: »

The Equality Act 20120 prohibits employers from asking applicants about their disability, health or sickness absence prior to being offered a job. So they should not mention this at interview stage.
They can, however, ask about sickness record in a reference but they would also ask about your ability to do the job, if your old company would employ you again etc?
So if you are expecting a good reference from your old employers because you have done a good job and have had no issues with them then I would not be worried.
Unless they have been difficult over your absences. If they had it might be worth pointing out at interview that you previously had an accident during your time in your old job that you had to have some time off for but maybe then mention how you organised cover or workload or kept clients up to date etc so that a real positive message comes out of this.
If your old company had no problem with your sick leave then maybe worth mentioning to them if you are offered a job and references will be followed up could they say if they are asked about sick leave to stress that this was down to an accident and that your sick days off prior to this have been 0??? days or nothing out of the ordinary.

Yes my airhead of a manager is being difficult and I have only been there 9 months - with 91/2 yrs continuous service transferred with another local authority.
I never organised cover etc as I was in hospital and will now need to go off again as I need further treatment, so in all I will have about 7 weeks off in 9 months but for the injury and treatment and thsi is not something that will be an ongoing problem... sickness previous to that was 3 days in the previous 5 years.

gibson123

Yes they are, they must give a credible reference based on evidence and absence, disciplinary action are usual for LA references

anamenottaken

gibson123 wrote: »

Yes they are, they must give a credible reference based on evidence and absence, disciplinary action are usual for LA references

That's OK as long as they have actually offered the job to the OP subject to satisfactory references and are not taking up references ahead of an offer being made. (LAs are not above the law.)

mozzie1

To be honest I would not worry....

The time you've had is due to a one-off accident and nothing likely to be ongoing. If you had 3 days off in previous 5 years then that shows your good sickness record.

If I were you I would give references for both your current employer and the place where you were transferred from because you've only been there 9 months and state that your previous employer would know your work record better as you'd been a loyal member of the team for such a long.

I think your prospective employer will be able to tell the difference between continual absenteeism and a lengthy period of time off due to an injury sustained in an accident.

Given your manager has been a bit iffy about it, I think I would mention if you were offered the job that with the object of openness and honesty you've had X weeks off due to an injury and that you've now fully recovered with no ongoing health issues. Say you wanted to mention this because you realise the period of time taken off is above the norm.

Also I would then speak your current HR dept to ask if they could ensure that any mention of sick leave in a reference explain the XX weeks you had off was down to an accident.

Hope this helps.

gizmo111

Also I would then speak your current HR dept to ask if they could ensure that any mention of sick leave in a reference explain the XX weeks you had off was down to an accident.

I doubt that HR would even know that a reference had been requested.
But when I get a verbal offer I will mention it at that point - usually LA ring within a couple of days.
I have applied to the LA I use to work as well as others so if I go back then it won't be an issue, just if it is a completly new employer.