Sick leave during notice period

stressedoutmamma

Hi I’m after some advice, I’ve handed in my notice but I have 6 weeks left of my notice period. I’m off sick/stress related mostly work but some home stress. I am waiting to speak to gp. Have huge anxiety about going back to work with the way I’ve been treated. My other concern is if I’m on sick leave that they will tell my new employer ( already had my references and I’ve signed a contract with new company). Would there be any downfall if gp signs me off for some or all of the rest of my notice? Wouldn’t like to affect my new job x

Farel01

If you don't tell them I'm not sure how they would find out? 

Undervalued

Farel01 said:

If you don't tell them I'm not sure how they would find out? 

If the current employer chooses to tell them!

Probably unlikely but nothing prevents them from doing so if they are that way inclined and feeling vindictive!

AndrewXII

I think your GP may ask/check if you are able to handle work with the stress and anxiety you are experiencing.

Ultimately, you should do what is needed, probably put health first. Though your concern is understandable. If it happened that your new employer enquired about it, I think they would understand if employee happened to fall ill. What employers would like to know is whether your illness will affect your capability to undertake the tasks outlined in your role. 

Sandtree

stressedoutmamma said:

Hi I’m after some advice, I’ve handed in my notice but I have 6 weeks left of my notice period. I’m off sick/stress related mostly work but some home stress. I am waiting to speak to gp. Have huge anxiety about going back to work with the way I’ve been treated. My other concern is if I’m on sick leave that they will tell my new employer ( already had my references and I’ve signed a contract with new company). Would there be any downfall if gp signs me off for some or all of the rest of my notice? Wouldn’t like to affect my new job x

Whats in it for your current employer to “warn” your new employer? There is an urban myth that its illegal to give negative references etc however the reality is that it isnt but it just risks opening a can of worms for your former employer and so 99% of large companies certainly wont do it because its pointless.

Most references these days are simply confirmation of start and end date and job title at the date of leaving. Nothing sensitive, nothing disputable, nothing that will trigger complaint or litigation. If your a terrible employee well your new employers will have to find that out for themselves.

In this particular case I would also question if they legally could share sensitive personal information like medical history in a reference. 

General_Grant

Sandtree said:

stressedoutmamma said:

Hi I’m after some advice, I’ve handed in my notice but I have 6 weeks left of my notice period. I’m off sick/stress related mostly work but some home stress. I am waiting to speak to gp. Have huge anxiety about going back to work with the way I’ve been treated. My other concern is if I’m on sick leave that they will tell my new employer ( already had my references and I’ve signed a contract with new company). Would there be any downfall if gp signs me off for some or all of the rest of my notice? Wouldn’t like to affect my new job x

Whats in it for your current employer to “warn” your new employer? There is an urban myth that its illegal to give negative references etc however the reality is that it isnt but it just risks opening a can of worms for your former employer and so 99% of large companies certainly wont do it because its pointless.

Most references these days are simply confirmation of start and end date and job title at the date of leaving. Nothing sensitive, nothing disputable, nothing that will trigger complaint or litigation. If your a terrible employee well your new employers will have to find that out for themselves.

In this particular case I would also question if they legally could share sensitive personal information like medical history in a reference. 

They have already given the reference.  The OP was worried the current employer would follow this up with another notification regarding her subsequent sick leave.  Unless for shear vindictiveness, there is no point in doing so - spending more time (= money).

Sandtree

General_Grant said:

Sandtree said:

stressedoutmamma said:

Hi I’m after some advice, I’ve handed in my notice but I have 6 weeks left of my notice period. I’m off sick/stress related mostly work but some home stress. I am waiting to speak to gp. Have huge anxiety about going back to work with the way I’ve been treated. My other concern is if I’m on sick leave that they will tell my new employer ( already had my references and I’ve signed a contract with new company). Would there be any downfall if gp signs me off for some or all of the rest of my notice? Wouldn’t like to affect my new job x

Whats in it for your current employer to “warn” your new employer? There is an urban myth that its illegal to give negative references etc however the reality is that it isnt but it just risks opening a can of worms for your former employer and so 99% of large companies certainly wont do it because its pointless.

Most references these days are simply confirmation of start and end date and job title at the date of leaving. Nothing sensitive, nothing disputable, nothing that will trigger complaint or litigation. If your a terrible employee well your new employers will have to find that out for themselves.

In this particular case I would also question if they legally could share sensitive personal information like medical history in a reference. 

They have already given the reference.  The OP was worried the current employer would follow this up with another notification regarding her subsequent sick leave.  Unless for shear vindictiveness, there is no point in doing so - spending more time (= money).

I agree on the unliklihood but not clear if a reference is allowed to include sensitive data like illnesses... the fact they’ve already given a reference doesnt really preclude them from given an updated one... I previously had a reference for “Ben Smith” and initially got concerned as it didnt tie up at all to the CV etc but shortly after got a second reference for “Ben Smith” that did with the explanation that they had two employees with the same name and they’d made a mistake on which one they’d sent.