Can prospective employer withdraw a conditional offer due to my current sickness record?

Les79

andydownes123 wrote: »

I'd be sacked for that sickness record ! 4 - 5 weeks off in six months ! Wow - I need a job as a firefighter !!

Indeed, HOWEVER I would personally categorise firefighters in the same bracket as police officers, just a (usually) milder version.


That being said, take the Grenfell fire as an example; there's every possibility that dealing with such an incident (or even a similar one) caused some health issues (PTSD etc) which led to high absence rates.


A train driver role, in comparison, may be much less stressful (you may have the odd suicide on the track etc but you aren't dealing with them first hand).


You never know what could be driving the absence. I'd suggest to OP that they be honest and upfront, particularly as it was caused due to something out of their control. That being said, the employer may pull the offer upon hearing that so it is a bit of an awkward position to be in. Can't really advise you on what to do, OP, but good luck with the choice you make.

Undervalued

maisie_cat wrote: »

Sangie is right, My husband is a train driver and they are extremely tight on health issues and he gets anxious as it is easy to lose your job for health reasons. Do not underestimate how stressful driving a train can be, despite what people think. The shifts are extremely tiring as they are all over the place not 4 on 4 off.

From a passenger's point of view rightly so.

It is a difficult one, particularly with non physical illnesses. Many argue that commercial pilots are reluctant to seek help for these type of issues because it can easily result in suspension of their licence. A real catch 22.

Does a train driver have to undergo regular medical examinations and give the doctor access to their GP records?

Undervalued

Les79 wrote: »

Indeed, HOWEVER I would personally categorise firefighters in the same bracket as police officers, just a (usually) milder version.


That being said, take the Grenfell fire as an example; there's every possibility that dealing with such an incident (or even a similar one) caused some health issues (PTSD etc) which led to high absence rates.


A train driver role, in comparison, may be much less stressful (you may have the odd suicide on the track etc but you aren't dealing with them first hand).

It is hard to think of anything much worse than sitting in the front of a train when somebody deliberately walks onto the track. You may have 30 seconds or more of knowing you are about to kill them but there is nothing you can do about it.

System

sangie595 wrote: »

And if you think firefighters have an easy life, then you aren't the type they (or the public) need. If you are willing to risk your life for the life of others, then you'd be ideal. But you don't sound that type.

Where from my post did you get that information from? A bit of artistic licence I think :think:

sangie595

andydownes123 wrote: »

Where from my post did you get that information from? A bit of artistic licence I think :think:

Not in the slightest. I think you are the only person who doesn't see what you wrote. You needed a job as a firefighter so that you don't get sacked for sick absence. That's what you said. And you strongly implied that made firefighting an easy life. If you fancy your chances, go for it.

vincent.lee

elsien wrote: »

Presumably there will be preemployment health screening for a train driver.

Unless you're planning to tell porkies it seems fairly likely that they will come across it and yes the offer can be retracted. 5 weeks in 5 months is a lot.
Is the health issue now resolved and unlikely to recur?

Yes, the string of short term sicknesses have been resolved.

It was a very bad chest infection, which (due to an inexperienced nurse who prescribed me an insufficient duration of anti-biotics) ended up developing into pneumonia.

I was also an idiot and kept trying to come to work everytime I felt slightly better, only to have my health deteriorate...

A collaboration of the two stupidities resulted in me being on 3 courses of different anti-biotics, getting xrays, and pretty much being forced by my GP to stay home for 2 of the instances (once was when I started coughing up blood during the check up, and was told to go to A&E and "don't be stupid and do something like go to work" (her words) ).

I'm worried the new employers won't even allow me a chance to explain this side of my story...

vincent.lee

andydownes123 wrote: »

I'd be sacked for that sickness record ! 4 - 5 weeks off in six months ! Wow - I need a job as a firefighter !!

I joined for helping people and lives.

I bet you wouldn't think the sick leave is great when you're walking into a smoke filled building, looking for a missing child....

Undervalued

vincent.lee wrote: »

Yes, the string of short term sicknesses have been resolved.

It was a very bad chest infection, which (due to an inexperienced nurse who prescribed me an insufficient duration of anti-biotics) ended up developing into pneumonia.

I was also an idiot and kept trying to come to work everytime I felt slightly better, only to have my health deteriorate...

A collaboration of the two stupidities resulted in me being on 3 courses of different anti-biotics, getting xrays, and pretty much being forced by my GP to stay home for 2 of the instances (once was when I started coughing up blood during the check up, and was told to go to A&E and "don't be stupid and do something like go to work" (her words) ).

I'm worried the new employers won't even allow me a chance to explain this side of my story...

I sympathise but I do wonder if train driving is right choice.

As I indicated earlier, whilst I don't know for certain the medical requirements for train driving (unlike flying where I do have a reasonable understanding) I would expect them to be fairly strict.

All you can do is be completely honest and hopefully progress as far as a full medical assessment.

vincent.lee

Undervalued wrote: »

I sympathise but I do wonder if train driving is right choice.

As I indicated earlier, whilst I don't know for certain the medical requirements for train driving (unlike flying where I do have a reasonable understanding) I would expect them to be fairly strict.

All you can do is be completely honest and hopefully progress as far as a full medical assessment.

I don't really see how me have chest infections would make me question whether train driving is the right choice...

elsien

They shouldn't do the health screening until after a job offer has been made. That would give you the opportunity to explain the circumstances and that you do not expect a recurrence. They might do an occuoational health referral if they're not sure.
For future reference, one longer absence tends to flag up less alarms than several short ones over the same period of time.