declaring stress related sick absences

[ste v]

last year my friend had 6 months off work with stress due to being bullied and harressed by her manager - ever since she returned to work (appx march 2010) she has been looking for another job - she is now in the process of applying for another job but on the application form it asks for her sick record. she is now worried that her possible new employer wont look favourably on her employment history due to this long absence (she has had appx 3 days a year off on average for the 13 years she has worked for her present company apart from this stress related absence which lasted for 6 months) - does she have to declare this absence to her perspective employer or, as the absence was work/stress related can she leave it out ??? thanks.

[sara3]

she should declare it, if it's asked for.

[buildersmate]

Not to declare it would be untrue. In the event that she was recruited and it later came to light, and she had a significant sickness record in the new job, the employer could very reasonably use the untrue statements as a reason for dismissal.

[rowanwitch]

Is she applying for work in a different field....if so it will be less of a problem...It would probably help if she'd made a formal complaints about the harassment that had been found in her favour but most people just try to escape the situation... She should declare it and if the application includes a health questionairre she should put the details in there as this will most likely not be seen by the appointing manager. A single long absence is viewed far more positively than lots of short ones as it is usually assumed it was a one off problem that has been resolved

[chokkie]

It;s not worth telling an untruth. The new employer could well ask for sickness records when taking up references, so would only find out the truth.

[Val121]

As a specialist nurse in industry, I deal with this problem every day.
I would strongly advise that she declares it and if the buisness, have any concerns then they can request an Occupational; Health nurse /provider too review the situation -mEDICAL IN cONFIDENCE AND ADVISE SOLEY ON HER FITNESS, NOW FOR THE POST.
If she does not declare it and they find out, she could be judged as decitful /untrustworthy and be dismissed..Buisness can pretty much do as they like with you within the inital 12 mth of employment, within the confines of employment law of course.