I am currently in a job i hate and would normally take my own advice of get another but heres the thing.

I have had alot of time off work due to sickness in the last year (more than 35 days) all genuine but not all covered by doctors notes etc.

The job i do has nothing to do with any qualifications i have and i would like to go back into administration work which is what i have always done.

The problem is my reference from my current employer due to sickness and the fact that i do not get on with my boss.

The other thing is where you have to declare sickness on application forms.

I have been looking for another job for more than 3 months now but this whole situation is really getting me down.

Any advice appreciated

Michelle

Hi there,

I really feel for you.  I've had lots of time off work sick too, and although it was all genuine it doesn't help when you're looking for alternative work.  I'm quite lucky given I'm happy to stay in this job, and hopefully improve my sickness record, but I can see your problem.

My advice would be to simply not give up.  Someone out there will want you to work for them and will see your potential over your sickness record.  You could maybe include in your covering letter details of why you were sick, explaining that this is very unusual for you. 

Have you seen an example of the reference you would get from your boss?  Maybe if he/she doesn't like you they may well give you a good reference to make sure that you get the job!!

Good luck, and don't give up - someone out there wants you!!

i think that when a referance is given it cannot say anything bad.....check with ACAS online - they are very helpful. Hope all goes well :)

That's a bit silly really isn't it?!  I thought the idea of a 'reference' was to give prospective employers an idea as to whether that person is any good or not!!  I suppose they could decline to give one.  I worked for a company once where we'd requested a reference, and the person applying for the job obviously hadn't asked the permission of the 'reference writer', and they sent in an awful letter about that person, clearly miffed because they hadn't been consulted first!  Needless to say they didn't get the job!!

Edited to say:  Sorry, didn't want to appear to be making you feel worse - I'm sure you'll find a job soon!

A lot depends on how the request for a reference is phrased :) If it is in the form of a series of tick boxes, rating things such as honesty, punctuality, sickness etc etc, then you may fair badly. If it's a letter asking for these things, then future employers tend to read into the reference what is NOT said. Your current employer might just not say anything about your sickness.

Honesty is always the best policy and the suggestion that you are upfront at interviews, explaining things is probably the way to go. Unfortunately, sickness/absence is always a big deciding factor for employers :(

Daisy,

The thing about sickness used to worry me too. The reason for it is so they can see if you are fit for the job - no point asking someone with a back problem to do lifting - but also if any adaptations might be needed to help you do the job. One of my colleagues has very poor sight so she has a special computer screen and she is released for weekly clinic attendance. Its no problem we all just accept and work round it. There must be things you learned from this bad experience so think about them, mention them at interviews and remember never slag off your ex boss. Good luck with job hunting.

Having something in writing can be read in different ways such as :- this person is honest -reliable-punctual-and hard worker.
To the casual reader it looks fine and can't complain about it, but to an employer it rings alarm bells. Why?
If the person is so good the previous employer would have surely done everything possible to keep that person on the work force so there must be something else as to why the employer let that person go.

So having a reference can work for you or against you even if the report sounds good, I feel that if an employer wants someone but unsure then the course of action would be a trial period first.

So why not join a temping agency or similar that way you have a choice as to working, or if sick taking time off and nothing will show up on any future references.

Bazza

Hi Jazzywoo

I have had a similar dilema and in part my sick record was caused by the manager I was working for. Have you counsidered something like temping for a while? Sickness is less of an issue as you only get paid when you work and once they have seen how good you are employers will often offer you a job.

Good luck Jan

Hi Michelle,

As another poster said if the reference is in the form of ticking boxes and giving a score, you may not have a 'good' reference, however if your emplyer has to write a letter, he is never allowed to come out and say something like, " Do not employ this women, she is sick all of the time" the worst they could possibly say is something like "Due to an ongoing illness, Michelle has had a fair amount of sick days, however she is very punctual, and is always doing her best... blah blah blah!" even if you were worried about, say being late quite often, again they can't say "she was always late" they have to turn it around and say " some times Michelle was on time for work" An emplyer is not allowed to give an out right 'bad' reference, even if you don't get on.

Natalie