Can a prospective employer find out about someone's past sick record?
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My wife has been working at the same UK office for about five years but recently the atmosphere has turned toxic. Some of it is due to increased workload for all involved, but most of it is caused by a new manager's inexperience.
Due to work problems my wife has seen a doctor, who recommended her to take time off work. She has no problem with that, but since she is planning to leave the place it worries her that this would be added to her sick record and may become an issue when applying for new jobs.
My assumption is that the answer is "no, they can't", unless you tell the prospective employer yourself. But since it is just an assumption I wanted to ask people who are likely to be better informed than I am..
united-kingdom sickness
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
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Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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My wife has been working at the same UK office for about five years but recently the atmosphere has turned toxic. Some of it is due to increased workload for all involved, but most of it is caused by a new manager's inexperience.
Due to work problems my wife has seen a doctor, who recommended her to take time off work. She has no problem with that, but since she is planning to leave the place it worries her that this would be added to her sick record and may become an issue when applying for new jobs.
My assumption is that the answer is "no, they can't", unless you tell the prospective employer yourself. But since it is just an assumption I wanted to ask people who are likely to be better informed than I am..
united-kingdom sickness
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
1
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
1
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50
|
show 3 more comments
My wife has been working at the same UK office for about five years but recently the atmosphere has turned toxic. Some of it is due to increased workload for all involved, but most of it is caused by a new manager's inexperience.
Due to work problems my wife has seen a doctor, who recommended her to take time off work. She has no problem with that, but since she is planning to leave the place it worries her that this would be added to her sick record and may become an issue when applying for new jobs.
My assumption is that the answer is "no, they can't", unless you tell the prospective employer yourself. But since it is just an assumption I wanted to ask people who are likely to be better informed than I am..
united-kingdom sickness
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My wife has been working at the same UK office for about five years but recently the atmosphere has turned toxic. Some of it is due to increased workload for all involved, but most of it is caused by a new manager's inexperience.
Due to work problems my wife has seen a doctor, who recommended her to take time off work. She has no problem with that, but since she is planning to leave the place it worries her that this would be added to her sick record and may become an issue when applying for new jobs.
My assumption is that the answer is "no, they can't", unless you tell the prospective employer yourself. But since it is just an assumption I wanted to ask people who are likely to be better informed than I am..
united-kingdom sickness
united-kingdom sickness
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
asked Apr 1 at 16:03
EddersEdders
492
492
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Edders is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
1
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
1
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50
|
show 3 more comments
If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
1
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
1
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50
If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
1
1
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
1
1
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50
|
show 3 more comments
2 Answers
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Quoting from fitforwork.org:
While there is no law governing absence management, employers must make sure that recording their employees’ attendance data is in compliance with data protection laws. Sickness absence data is sensitive information and must be kept private and confidential.
If your employer is clued in about what constitutes sensitive data, they should be smart enough to withhold that information. This implies that prospective employers will be smart enough not to ask about it in the first place, so if they do ask about it, you probably want to keep looking.
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
add a comment |
Technically no but in the real world people usually do whatever they want in these sorts of scenarios as long as it isn't in writing.
Technically they aren't allowed to ask me if I'm married but at every single interview I have been to I have either been asked if I am or I have caught them glancing at my finger at some point.
Against the law doesn't mean jack.
There are other ways to ask about attendance without coming out and asking "how many sick days did Edders' Wife have? They can simply ask "how was Edders' Wife's attendance ethic?" which would have a "good or bad" response which is all they need.
Don't put much faith in laws, they only work on paper.
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
|
show 1 more comment
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2 Answers
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Quoting from fitforwork.org:
While there is no law governing absence management, employers must make sure that recording their employees’ attendance data is in compliance with data protection laws. Sickness absence data is sensitive information and must be kept private and confidential.
If your employer is clued in about what constitutes sensitive data, they should be smart enough to withhold that information. This implies that prospective employers will be smart enough not to ask about it in the first place, so if they do ask about it, you probably want to keep looking.
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
add a comment |
Quoting from fitforwork.org:
While there is no law governing absence management, employers must make sure that recording their employees’ attendance data is in compliance with data protection laws. Sickness absence data is sensitive information and must be kept private and confidential.
If your employer is clued in about what constitutes sensitive data, they should be smart enough to withhold that information. This implies that prospective employers will be smart enough not to ask about it in the first place, so if they do ask about it, you probably want to keep looking.
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
add a comment |
Quoting from fitforwork.org:
While there is no law governing absence management, employers must make sure that recording their employees’ attendance data is in compliance with data protection laws. Sickness absence data is sensitive information and must be kept private and confidential.
If your employer is clued in about what constitutes sensitive data, they should be smart enough to withhold that information. This implies that prospective employers will be smart enough not to ask about it in the first place, so if they do ask about it, you probably want to keep looking.
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
Quoting from fitforwork.org:
While there is no law governing absence management, employers must make sure that recording their employees’ attendance data is in compliance with data protection laws. Sickness absence data is sensitive information and must be kept private and confidential.
If your employer is clued in about what constitutes sensitive data, they should be smart enough to withhold that information. This implies that prospective employers will be smart enough not to ask about it in the first place, so if they do ask about it, you probably want to keep looking.
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
edited Apr 2 at 12:27
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
answered Apr 1 at 16:27
rathrath
21.7k1463105
21.7k1463105
add a comment |
add a comment |
Technically no but in the real world people usually do whatever they want in these sorts of scenarios as long as it isn't in writing.
Technically they aren't allowed to ask me if I'm married but at every single interview I have been to I have either been asked if I am or I have caught them glancing at my finger at some point.
Against the law doesn't mean jack.
There are other ways to ask about attendance without coming out and asking "how many sick days did Edders' Wife have? They can simply ask "how was Edders' Wife's attendance ethic?" which would have a "good or bad" response which is all they need.
Don't put much faith in laws, they only work on paper.
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
|
show 1 more comment
Technically no but in the real world people usually do whatever they want in these sorts of scenarios as long as it isn't in writing.
Technically they aren't allowed to ask me if I'm married but at every single interview I have been to I have either been asked if I am or I have caught them glancing at my finger at some point.
Against the law doesn't mean jack.
There are other ways to ask about attendance without coming out and asking "how many sick days did Edders' Wife have? They can simply ask "how was Edders' Wife's attendance ethic?" which would have a "good or bad" response which is all they need.
Don't put much faith in laws, they only work on paper.
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
|
show 1 more comment
Technically no but in the real world people usually do whatever they want in these sorts of scenarios as long as it isn't in writing.
Technically they aren't allowed to ask me if I'm married but at every single interview I have been to I have either been asked if I am or I have caught them glancing at my finger at some point.
Against the law doesn't mean jack.
There are other ways to ask about attendance without coming out and asking "how many sick days did Edders' Wife have? They can simply ask "how was Edders' Wife's attendance ethic?" which would have a "good or bad" response which is all they need.
Don't put much faith in laws, they only work on paper.
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
Technically no but in the real world people usually do whatever they want in these sorts of scenarios as long as it isn't in writing.
Technically they aren't allowed to ask me if I'm married but at every single interview I have been to I have either been asked if I am or I have caught them glancing at my finger at some point.
Against the law doesn't mean jack.
There are other ways to ask about attendance without coming out and asking "how many sick days did Edders' Wife have? They can simply ask "how was Edders' Wife's attendance ethic?" which would have a "good or bad" response which is all they need.
Don't put much faith in laws, they only work on paper.
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
answered Apr 1 at 22:30
solarflaresolarflare
9,50542449
9,50542449
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
|
show 1 more comment
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
Though if the employee finds out, and can prove it, the penalties for violating the GDPR are pretty severe.
– a CVn
Apr 2 at 12:32
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
@aCVn if they find out. There's the old saying: if it isnt in writing it didnt happen. And since nobody will admit to anything and the damage is already done nothing will happen. This is how the real world works: in the gray area.
– solarflare
Apr 2 at 21:39
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
Right; hence why the second word in my comment was "if", not "when".
– a CVn
Apr 3 at 6:29
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
@aCVn finding out is not enough, you also need to prove it ;)
– solarflare
Apr 3 at 22:13
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
Which part of "if the employee finds out, and can prove it" did my initial comment fail to convey?
– a CVn
Apr 4 at 6:43
|
show 1 more comment
Edders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Edders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Edders is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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If it's a leave recommend by a doctor, why would it be an issue even if it were public knowledge? Would breaking a leg in an accident be the same problem? Just trying to figure out the differences between EU states.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 5:35
1
@nvoigt - Not sure about that. I presume it is a similar difference between "I was injured in a car accident" vs "I was injured while kick-boxing". In the latter case a prospective employer may be afraid it could be a regular occurence and therefore decide not to hire this particular applicant.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 9:03
1
Would the old employer even know the reason for the sickness? In my country that's protected information, the employer only gets to know "certified sick by a doctor" and the actual reason is none of their business.
– nvoigt
Apr 2 at 9:57
Just want to add that it is a good idea to take the sick leave, and find another job during it. Few people keep their jobs after returning from an extended sick or stress leave.
– Trevor D
Apr 2 at 12:35
@nvoigt - In a nutshell that is exactly what I'm asking.
– Edders
Apr 2 at 12:50