Sick leave and new job. Will it be an issue?

Chailatte91

I have recently been offered a job which requires security clearance. I have no criminal record and an eligible to work in the uk, however I do have 5 weeks sick leave to my name. 4 weeks was due to abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, potentially due to IBS however this was never confirmed. I was in hospital for some of this. 1 week was due to bereavement over Christmas. My best friend was murdered a year ago and her case was brought up nationally on the news so I was too anxious to go to work. Is this likely to act against me? I've never, ever taken a day off other than these two periods. Any advice would be a huge help.

TELLIT01

Sickness isn't part of any security check so won't be an issue in that respect. Assuming references have already been taken up by your new employer I don't see any problem.

tomtontom

It won't affect security clearance unless you fail to declare them if asked. It may affect medical clearance, but they won't do this without at least speaking to you first to get more information.

Chailatte91

Part of the security clearance actually includes obtaining sick leave returns. The whole process is to determine the reliability of an employee. I've just been made an offer however it is conditional on security clearance including references.

Two4Tuesday

I have a contract job in the public sector which required CTC clearance, which I got pretty quickly despite having spent 3 months in hospital with depression and being bankrupted within a few years (of getting the contract).

So I think the periods of sickness will not be a problem, so long as you have been honest about them.

Chailatte91

Fingers crossed. I hope you are recovering.

bugslet

I've had a Security Clearance for over 30 years. Everyone in my firm has one and I've dealt with dozens of forms as staff have asked questions/for help. At no point has sickness ever been part of the clearance, no-one has ever asked for sickness records for anyone.

I presume you are talking about a government clearance. The firm might want their own sickness checks, but that's separate to the clearance.

VfM4meplse

Isn't it illegal for an employer (or potential employer) to discriminate on the grounds of sickness?

t0rt0ise

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Isn't it illegal for an employer (or potential employer) to discriminate on the grounds of sickness?

No, not unless the sickness counts as being due to a disability, then it would make it more complicated.