Job start date but pending checks

neha9

Hi all,

I have been offered a new job and the start date is next week at a GP practice. I have received an offer letter which is subject to DBS and pre employment checks. I had 2 major surgerys at the start of year and was off for 2 months because of the waiting time on NHS. I was not asked this question during the interview, otherwise I would have discussed it with the panel about it. I have given my line manager, who is on holiday and a colleague name as reference. He told me that the reference form has a question about sickness days in the past 3 years. This was my first sickness in the past 4 years. I work part time and free during the day, when the kids are at the school.The new employer has offered me to work a particular day in a week for 4 weeks during my notice period with my current employer and can resume my full hours after 4 weeks.. I am just worried that the offer might get withdrawn, if they are not happy with my sickness record. Should i still go for the induction on monday or wait for the checks to comeback. He said he wanted someone who can start asap but is happy to wait until the checks are back, as the offer is subject to pre employment checks completed. My line manager is on holiday and she hasn't done the reference form yet. I think the new employer assumed, that all checks will be completed by the end of this week. This is all very quick. He has emailed for the references on wednesday evening this week.

Should I inform them about my one off sickness or leave it with my current employer. I don't have anything to hide. I just don't want to be without jobs, incase they withdraw the job offer because of sickness. What's the best way to go about it. 

Thank you.

marcia_

 Given it wasn't asked during the application process I wouldn't bother. You haven't hid it or lied. One off sickness shouldn't be a barrier they are looking for lots of times or specific regular days like every Friday or Monday etc 

neha9

marcia_ said:

 Given it wasn't asked during the application process I wouldn't bother. You haven't hid it or lied. One off sickness shouldn't be a barrier they are looking for lots of times or specific regular days like every Friday or Monday etc 

Thank you Marcia.
Do i still start my training on Monday without the pre employment checks being completed? 

Flugelhorn

If the sickness was a one off for a specific problem then they won't be bothered - they are more bothered about someone who is off for a few days here and there every few weeks . 

You probably won't get occupational sick pay for a while anyway.

yes start training on Monday and don't worry. 

having employed people in general practice we all know that references mean very little 

elsien

If you don’t hear anything in the meantime I would turn up for the induction - If they decide they want to delay when you get there, that’s their decision to make. Better to show willing. 

DullGreyGuy

neha9 said:

Hi all,

I have been offered a new job and the start date is next week at a GP practice. I have received an offer letter which is subject to DBS and pre employment checks. I had 2 major surgerys at the start of year and was off for 2 months because of the waiting time on NHS. I was not asked this question during the interview, otherwise I would have discussed it with the panel about it. I have given my line manager, who is on holiday and a colleague name as reference. He told me that the reference form has a question about sickness days in the past 3 years. This was my first sickness in the past 4 years. I work part time and free during the day, when the kids are at the school.The new employer has offered me to work a particular day in a week for 4 weeks during my notice period with my current employer and can resume my full hours after 4 weeks.. I am just worried that the offer might get withdrawn, if they are not happy with my sickness record. Should i still go for the induction on monday or wait for the checks to comeback. He said he wanted someone who can start asap but is happy to wait until the checks are back, as the offer is subject to pre employment checks completed. My line manager is on holiday and she hasn't done the reference form yet. I think the new employer assumed, that all checks will be completed by the end of this week. This is all very quick. He has emailed for the references on wednesday evening this week.

Should I inform them about my one off sickness or leave it with my current employer. I don't have anything to hide. I just don't want to be without jobs, incase they withdraw the job offer because of sickness. What's the best way to go about it. 

Thank you.

Most companies use the "Bradford Factor" to review sicknesses which is Total Days Sick x How Many Times Off ^2

42 x 1^2 = 42

If you compare that to someone who takes a 2 days off each quarter this year

8 x 4^2 = 192

Obviously the lower the score the better and so the number of times off is much more important than the number of days off. Given they've asked for 3 years of data yours would average to a Bradford Factor of 14. Most would consider 45 the score that triggers a discussion, 100 is serious and 900 is potentially formal.

Interviewed one chap once who said he took about 1 day a month off so a score of 1,728, would have been a probable "no" from the outset but then he offered up that it was because he'd gone on the lash and was still too !!!!!! to turn up to work.

neha9

Thank you all for your advice and guidance. This has given me so much relief and clear picture. I would go for the induction and if they ask then I will be more than happy to give them the required information.