Employment gaps shouldn't matter should they?

Andrea_jardin

We work to live, not live to work, so why are employers so bothered about gaps?!
If someone wants a take a couple of years to have a baby, travel the world or learn about art, it's not really the employer's business.

Comms69

No it's not, but they arent obliged to offer you work...

jackieblack

If the reason for the gap can be explained, not all employers will be bothered by it.  But an unexplained gap could be hiding something such as a prison sentence or a gaming addiction.

Andrea_jardin

jackieblack said:

If the reason for the gap can be explained, not all employers will be bothered by it.  But an unexplained gap could be hiding something such as a prison sentence.

Thanks I didn't think of that. But I guess you could submit a CRB check with the cover letter to prove that there was nothing like that.

Comms69

Andrea_jardin said:

jackieblack said:

If the reason for the gap can be explained, not all employers will be bothered by it.  But an unexplained gap could be hiding something such as a prison sentence.

Thanks I didn't think of that. But I guess you could submit a CRB check with the cover letter to prove that there was nothing like that.

DBS / Disclosure Scotland - assuming the job is eligible for that

sharpe106

As others have said if you can explain why nobody cares, its when you can't as there is usually a reason why you have not worked, either lazy, prison, mental health etc etc.

TELLIT01

It's natural for a prospective employer to wonder why if there are large, unexplained gaps in a CV.  They would be perfectly within their rights to ask for an explanation if the person gets to interview, or to immediately disregard any applicants with unexplained gaps.  Lack of explanation will often lead to an assumption that there is something the applicant is trying to avoid telling e.g. dismissal for misconduct, incompetence etc.  Even is a person does put a reason for the gap they should accept that they may be asked questions about what specifically they did in that period.  It really is the potential employers business to ensure that anything or, or missing from, the CV is accurate.

TBagpuss

Yes,as others are saying, the problem isn't gaps, it's unexplained gaps.
Prison, having been sacked for misconduct or poor performance and having been unable to get another job, those kinds of things are all possible reasons for an unexplained gaps.
Also, people's skills do 'go rusty' if not used, so a gap, particularly if it is a gap you are still in, can raise concerns about whether you still have current expertise / knowledge (obviously this will vary depending on the type of work and how quickly it changes) or might struggle to get back into the swing of paid employment

oh_really

What skills do you hold which you feel will improve by not being put to use by frequent periods out the workplace?

njm123

So basically anyone who retired early then needs to go back to work because of Coronvirus is stuffed by the gap that says "Retired early - got it wrong"

Comms69

njm123 said:

So basically anyone who retired early then needs to go back to work because of Coronvirus is stuffed by the gap that says "Retired early - got it wrong"

Fail to see how retirement is affected by coronavirus?