Job offer being reconsidered

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fibrowarrior13

Hi,

I was offered a job last week (subject to references) and today I received a phone call to say that they are reconsidering the offer, as both referees mentioned me taking extended sick leave. I have had M.E and fibromyalgia for over 30 years. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, so had to take time off to complete my treatment. The treatment had a significant impact on my pre existing conditions, so I was off for over a year.
I was eventually made redundant (nothing to do with health, the job no longer existed). I started in a new job and was shortly after informed that I would be having my final cancer surgery (which had been delayed due to COVID). I struggled with revisiting my cancer diagnosis, so felt it best to resign from the job to focus on my surgery and recovery.

In the phone call this morning my new employer wanted me to explain why I had been off sick and then questioned my ability to do the new job (it is 17 hours per week, term time, mainly remote with some travel - so perfect for me). I explained everything I had been through and she told me she would have to go away and think about it and told me to have a good weekend.

After coming off the phone, I was concerned that I had not explained myself properly, so I put everything down in an email. She has not acknowledged the email and I am now in a position where I have no clue if I have the job or not.

If I do not get this job, will I get any job, because the issue regarding my sick record will always be there?

Any advice will be most gratefully received ☺️

Rosie_Scope

Hi @fibrowarrior13, sorry to hear you've had this experience, that's a stressful position to be in but fingers crossed she's just taking her time to consider everything. It sounds like you've done the right thing by explaining then following up with an email so it's all laid out in writing. Hopefully she'll be able to see through the gaps in your working life and all will be okay.

If the worst comes to worst and you find it difficult to get into paid work at the moment, would a small amount of volunteering be an option for you?

It may feel like a step back, but it might help illustrate to employers that you're reliable. And after a few months you may be able to use them as an alternative referee who would know what you're capable of now rather than back when you were still in treatment.

Hope you hear back soon and can find a way forward.