What do I say is my reason for leaving in an interview??

Question

I am signed off work sick as I had an operation. I am looking for another job as work are being unreasonable about my sick absence. I had the op on a Wednesday and work wanted me in by the Monday. When I called them to tell then I had been signed off for 3 weeks, thy were implying that I shouldn't need that long. The 3 weeks are up and I am still in pain and hopefully going to get another sick note. In the mean time i am filling out application forms for other companies.. what should I put as reason for leaving? If I put that work are unreasonable with sick periods it will make me look like I take a lot of time off, but I don't .. it's just this one instance

in response to cynical_si work do not pay sick.. it's SSP from the 3rd day.

Answer 1

Put it down as 'Increasingly difficult working conditions' - that covers a multitude of sins xxxx

Answer 2

Don't mention the sick thing at all. I know you say it's a one-off but they may not see it like that. You could say, you've gone as far as you can in your present job, you want a new challenge, you want to pursue new directions. I just think the sick thing would put them off, unreasonably of course, and sometimes forms ask how much sick in the last 3 years so you might have to put that down anyway. As for your firm, if your doctor has signed you off they can't do anything about it, even if they try to scare-monger you. I was once off work for 6 weeks with a back problem, my work were absolutely fine - they just kept asking for the sick note for my records, and that was it.

Answer 3

Tell the truth and explain this is a one off incident of you being off sick. Your employer has no right to harrass you into returning to work too early after an operation. I'm sure any responsible prospective employer would take these things into consideration. Doctors don't give sick notes out easily these days so they would also know your case is a genuine one. Good luck x

Answer 4

Ask them what medical qualifications they have to overrule that which your doctor has given and would they be prepared to give you a letter to say that you had been ordered back to work against the doctors advice, if so and complications set in would they cover any medical expenses to correct, as to giving your reasons to leave, tell the truth, you do not like their attitude to the employees who are sick , you could then take them to a tribunal for harassment while off sick with a certificate to qualify your reasons for being so

Answer 5

The reason you are leaving your old job is that you are looking for a new and different work experiences as you love a challenge.

You are leaving you current employer because you feel its time to embrace more challenging work experiences

You are leaving your current job because now you feel its time to embrace a more challenging career path

You have decided that you are looking at new and different employment experiences and believe its time to grasp that challenge.

Write down career change or one of the above, your illness and your operations are your own personal business and dont need to be discussed with prospective employers. Good luck

Answer 6

Firstly, you are not allowed to return to work early if you have been issued with a sick note from your doctor especially if you have handed it in. The company you work for should know that and if they put pressure on you to return whilst being signed off then mention it to them.

Secondly, with regards to searching for other jobs, you don't have to go into too much detail. You could just mention that you felt you needed a new challenge and that you had gone as far as you could in your current job.

Answer 7

Sounds like your bosses are like mine. I have taken the day off today to go to interviews! Best thing to do is contact an employment agency that specialises in your line of work, and ask their advice. Good luck - I understand what you're going through!

Answer 8

personally i wouldn't even mention the sickness i would just say that i am looking to move on in my career and expand my horizons. there aren't many opportunities for promotion where you are now and you want there to be a future in your job. however you may have to mention the op at some point cos they may ask for a reference from your current employer after you hand your notice in and they may mention this.

Answer 9

Whatever reason you put down, you can be sure that your new employer will contact your former employer.
I find it best to be absolutely honest in situations like these.
I had an interview a number of years ago where the interviewer asked why I left my former occupation.
I was honest and told him that my former employer was an @rse.Who didn't give two hoots fo his workers. The revolving door of former employees bore this out.
Be honest!
It works, and people respect honesty. ...Mostly!

Answer 10

Don't even mention your op or your current employer.

Just say you are looking for new challenges or you want to further your career.

If you mention the op and your past employers bad behaviour they may see you as a pain in the ****. And not employ you.

Answer 11

just explain that your doctor has signed you off work due to your operation and that the place that you currently work for are being totally unreasonable and don't seem to understand that you need the time off work to recover. any good employer should be understandable,if the are not then they ain't worth working for
good luck