Job references

charlie_2015

Hello,

I started a new job a couple weeks back which has been going great. The company have informed me that I havent provided any references so give me some forms to complete. One of the questions on one of the forms is how many days I have had off sick in the last 12 months. I am a bit worried now as I had around 20 days off sick (one instance, signed off from doctor) as I had a pretty bad virus. Is it likely the new company will terminate my contract after discovering my sickness record?

Savvy_Sue

it is impossible to say, however in general employers prefer fewer longer bouts of sickness to a day a fortnight, so do make sure you explain why you needed 20 days and stress your complete recovery and unlikelihood of a relapse.

Whatever you do, don't lie and hope your previous employer won't contradict what you say ...

lincroft1710

Only the company can answer that

charlie_2015

I understand it is hard to say but just wanted the general "feeling" if you will. I left a very secure job for this role so would be devastated if that should happen

Savvy_Sue

Sorry but there is no general feeling possible. Some employers might dismiss, others won't but would enquire further into the reasons for the sickness absence. We would not have let you start before we'd asked for references, and our reference request does ask about sickness absence. We might have let you start before we received your references, and I don't think we'd dismiss you on the spot for 20 days, but if there was a recurrence early in the employment we might think hard about your suitability!

But we're one small independent employer. It proves nothing. All you can do is be honest and make the best case you can for being a reliable employee!

[Deleted User]

charlie_2015 wrote: »

Is it likely the new company will terminate my contract after discovering my sickness record?

Not if they need someone to work in a stand alone/niche/difficult to fill role?

Not if they like paying to re-advertise.

Not if they like having to spend and devote more time interviewing.

Not if they want growing a terrible reputation.

Not if you are value for money/bringing in results/showing your bothered enough which shows integrity.

(Regardless of the industry) besides which you've started - a slightly better advantage over having not.

If they don't believe in the benefit of the doubt and allowing you to prove yourself - they aren't worthy of the worry. It's their problem of being late or lax with the admin.

TELLIT01

All you can do is make it clear that it was a single absence. If the employer wants to know more they will ask.

Manxman_in_exile

They've employed you (unconditionally?) without references and have just given you some forms to complete? That seems a bit strange to me.


But as others have said - honesty is always the best policy.


EDIT: Sorry - didn't read OP properly! I used to monitor sickness absence for an NHS trust and a single episode of 20 days would not have been a problem. (Can't speak for OP's new employer though). We didn't formally use the Bradford Score system, but 20 days over more than two episodes would raise eyebrows.

Takeaway_Addict

for one instance of 20 days for severe flu I'd be very very surprised if they dismissed you. Can't guarantee they wouldn't but I would suggest the vast vast majority would acknowledge it as a one off

charlie_2015

So a little more info.

It is for a well knownhuge global company and i do know they have struggled to fill my role (fairly niche)

elsien

Point out it was a one off illness, not something you've had before or expect to get again, and (hopefully) your good sickness absence record for previous years.