Previous sick leave when applying for new jobs?

Jo_R_2

Hi all

I was made redundant a couple of weeks ago. I think I've had in total about six months off from work in chunks over the last year due to depression.

I was going to take some time to sort my head out before applying for jobs; however I've written to my GP who is very supportive asking for a referral to a psychiatrist or other appropriate professional about my condition, which he said would be feasible once established on my meds.

I have started applying for jobs; apart from the obvious financial advantages, I want to feel like I am providing for my children rather than living off benefits, and I think the routine of work would help my condition. I thought to counteract my rather hefty amount of sick leave which I will have to disclose, it would look positive for me to show to a potential employer that I am being proactive in getting treatment.

However, it rather concerned me when doing an application the other day and they asked how many days I'd had off... Seeing it in black and white made me think how on earth is ANY employer going to employ someone who's had nearly half a year off in the last year?!?!?

I feel stuck... I did apply for a couple of jobs, both of which I'd been offered an interview for, but neither of which asked at the intial application stage for details of absence... So I'm doing something right, it's just the sick leave that I feel is going to be a major obstacle.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice? Now I'm in the swing of applying, I'm actually looking forward to the thought of going to work, and have seen some great jobs which are on a much better salary than I was on previously, that I am experienced enough/qualified for, but I don't know if I'm being realistic in thinking anyone would employ me!

fengirl_2

Sometimes an application form will ask for the number of sick days in the past year, sometimes not. A request fro references will normally ask for the number of days off in the past year and the potential employer then needs to take a view as to whether they think this is a lot or not.
I gave a reference for a staff member who had had quite a bit of sick leave and the new employer wrote back and asked what her illness had been. I was able to state that it was a condition which was righting itself and that sick leave had reduced. It would then be up to the new employer again to take a view as to whether this was something that would get better, eg two weeks off with appendix removal, or something vague such as backache which might re-occur.
If I was you, I would concentrate on proving my ability to do the job, make yourslef someone the employer cannot do without and then tackle the depression issue with a response based on what you have said here.

Jo_R_2

Thanks fengirl

That's made me feel a lot more positive, and of course you are right. I got the jobs pages yesterday and have been looking online and have seen four (that I can think of) jobs I can apply for, have one application 'in progress' and sent one off on Monday.

I have a good level of qualifications and was in my last job for nearly four years so have some decent experience for the field I am looking in. I *know* if I set my sights a bit higher I can get increase my previous salary by a half if not more, but obviously the increased level of responsibility makes me anxious and makes me doubt my abilities... I just know though that if I challenged myself I could be really happy at work, being able to get my teeth into something.

dmg24

If your condition is covered by the DDA, it may be possible not to have to state how much time you have had off, or to phrase it in a way to remind the employer of their responsibilities under DDA.

Many application forms now ask how many days off you have had not including any relating to a disability, and I think that this is the way that most employers will go in the long term. It is not law that they have to do this, but it could be regarded as a reasonable adaptation.

Good luck x

Oldernotwiser

Whilst I admire your ambition I think that you might be setting yourself up for failure by expecting to get a job with 50% greater salary with your record of attendance. I don't mean that you don't deserve it and you might well be able to achieve it at some point in the future but it's an enormous leap to make, even for someone with a flawless job history and impeccable references. Try to stay as positive as you are but be a bit more realistic.
Good luck.

dmg24

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Whilst I admire your ambition I think that you might be setting yourself up for failure by expecting to get a job with 50% greater salary with your record of attendance. I don't mean that you don't deserve it and you might well be able to achieve it at some point in the future but it's an enormous leap to make, even for someone with a flawless job history and impeccable references. Try to stay as positive as you are but be a bit more realistic.
Good luck.

That is harsh to say without knowing anything about the OP's work situation.

For instance, if the OP is currently on minimum wage, then a 50% pay rise is not that unrealistic an expectation. Even if they are working above that level at present, earning £15K, but not utilising all of their skills, then finding a job for £22.5K should not be overly difficult. Or maybe they are just underpaid at the moment?

A few years ago I nearly doubled my salary (and I was not on min wage before that), and that was after a very long period of ill health. I had undersold myself before, and I found a role where the salary represented my capabilities.

If an employer cannot see past a person's genuine health condition, then they are not worth working for x

Jo_R_2

In the job I was just made redundant from, the salary was lower than the equivalent in other companies and organisations by at least 4k. And for starters the wage wasn't that much anyways. I was working for less than I could have gotten elsewhere, but the job was a great one which I really enjoyed and they were really good about my absence, which in some ways I felt more than made up for the low salary.

But now...? I have been finding that the experience I have from that job seems very valuable in the field I am looking in, coupled with my level of qualifications, is meaning that I have made myself look at jobs I might not have otherwise, on salaries of around 50% more, and realised that I am indeed experienced and qualified enough to make a legitimate application. Having said that, I have also applied for jobs on around the same level as I was, but have also found that in looking, these such jobs start on the same salary as I was on previously but are banded so there is scope for more.

Like I said, I've seen a load of jobs this week that I could do so am just going to do applications for all of them and see what comes. I'm just thinking if I don't try, I won't know... Will just see what happens!

Oldernotwiser

dmg24 wrote: »

A few years ago I nearly doubled my salary (and I was not on min wage before that), and that was after a very long period of ill health. I had undersold myself before, and I found a role where the salary represented my capabilities.

I didn't mean to be harsh and I don't think that I was. If the OP thinks I was then I apologise.

I hope that you're right and I'm wrong but I think that I'm only being realistic. When the OP has had a decent period of good health and can show that his/her medical problems have been solved then I'm sure that all things will be possible but for the moment I think that earning 50% more is unlikely.

I really don't think that it's a kindness to set unattainable targets for somebody who suffers from depression as failure could lead to bigger problems. As I said before, I wish the OP all the best.

Zazen999

Hi
I'm with dmg on this one; sometime a period of illness can focus your thoughts; and if one of the outcomes is not wasting time in underpaid jobs; then all the better.

Note: I had a very bad accident which left me with a major issue with my left arm; and was off for nearly 4 months with the treatment. The next year I landed a job with a 15k payrise...and haven't had a day off sick since.

So, it is possible; dealing with an illness/injury can actually put you on course to stop wasting time and move to better things. It's all about how you sell yourself at the end of the day; and if you can show that you have dealt with the issue; and are a stronger and more employable person at the end of it; it should be no problem to land a better job.

Oldernotwiser

I think that it's more feasible if you have an accident or medical condition like yours where you can say, it happened, it was treated and now I'm OK. Unfortunately mental illness isn't like that, which is why I said that a period of good health would show that the OP's health problems were in the past.

Obviously a period of sickness can be presented in various ways as a positive experience and time away from work can lead to useful self assessment and personal development.

brightonman123

i was off work a while back - chest bug / depression / stress caused by backlogs when i got back (dont even start me on the pay / working conditions..!)

you just need to be honest, and make something positive out of it- do something each day - preferably outdoors and with friends- staying in bed all day is just a waste, and makes things worse. (been there..)

highlight what you did / are doing to overcome it, and show enthusiasm for 'today'..