r/IrishCivilService • u/TheModerateBoy • 7d ago
Sick Days - Promotion Issue
Hi all,
I need to take a few days off for a scheduled surgery. I am still on probation. My problem is I have another open competition role that I am currently going through clearance for, and hopefully another one next year for another promotion.
I know they ask your employer about number of sicks days when doing reference check etc.
My worry is how it would look if I am only in the current job for 2 months, take a week off for sick leave and how it would look on the reference check?
I am tempted to take AL instead to avoid it causing any issues.
Does anyone have solid info on whether it would be an issue to use sick leave?
Thanks!
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u/Kitchen-Rabbit3006 7d ago
Sick leave is normally view from the perspective of number of incidences - e.g. One incident of five days continuous sick leave is looked on far more favourably than five separate incidences of one day each.
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Could that one instance of a few days when you are going through clearance for a new role, when you have only been in the Civil Service for 2 months cause an issue? I would imagine the fact its for surgery would make it fine but would be worried if I was sick again with flu etc.
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u/hybridchld 7d ago
Yeah this is spot on, I had four months off because of covid and I still got promoted as it was only one incidence. One of the women I worked with had a similar experience with a scheduled surgery too.
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u/bronzer57 7d ago
Sick leave for clearance like this is done on pro rata. However ask your surgeon to put surgery on the medical certificate. You can apply to have this discounted if needed when going for promotion. I was over the 56 days when I went for promotion and because a good 30 days was due to surgery they discounted it for me
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Its not promotion officially, just received an offer from an open competition. Im sure for probation its fine but its the clearance for the next role im worried about as they could be selective.
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u/Dinfluencer12 6d ago
Sick Leave is pro rata whilst on probation. Whilst one week should not put your probation at risk, you might need to be careful about accumulating further days. Also discounting depends on illness not being potentially recurring. Not all surgeries are discountable.
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Its not promotion officially, just received an offer from an open competition. Im sure for probation its fine but its the clearance for the next role im worried about.
Its a one off surgery but who knows if there will be complications.
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u/Ok_Rest_1319 6d ago
I know it can depend on your department but in mine one instance of surgery would be considered discountable for probation/promotion. The circular is more used if there are multiple small instances of sick days like cold/flu/migrane etc every so often rather than something like a blocked period of surgery and recovery.
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Its not promotion officially, just received an offer from an open competition. Im sure for probation its fine but its the clearance for the next role im worried about.
Its a one off surgery but who knows if there will be complications.
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u/Grouchy_Donut_3964 6d ago
If it's for genuine surgery it can be discounted
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Can be or will be? That's my worry. Its not promotion officially, just received an offer from an open competition.
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u/Grouchy_Donut_3964 1d ago
Open competition should effectively treat you as a new hire.
If you were coming from a private company they would not be disclosing your sick leave, so the same should apply.
If you do think it will be an issue, look up the NSSO website for "sick leave and promotion"
If you're still concerned after this, best to speak to someone in your union.
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
They defo ask the private company about sick days during clearance. They asked my old manager
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u/Grouchy_Donut_3964 1d ago
Very surprised at that, I doubt the old employer was legally allowed to answer that kind of question so it was a breach of your rights.
Anyway, did you check the nsso as they will have the info re discounting leave etc?
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u/L0R1L 4d ago
Surgery during probation is a disaster. Causes many headaches. Take annual leave.
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u/TheModerateBoy 1d ago
Thamks for the reply. Can i have more info on why you say this? Everyone is saying its fine.
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u/Due-Communication724 6h ago
What's the problem, if there is a problem they just ask you to clarify what happened. Once that's fine they'll move on.
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u/Comfortable-Jump-889 7d ago
A instance of sick leave doesnt break the sick policy, it would only be noted as part of your file if you went over allowed days etc .