What to put on CV to explain being out for years on Illness benefit?

misterm

My wife may have to go back to work after being out on illness benefit
I'm not sure she's able to go back to work, but she wants to give it a try.

What is the best way to explain this on a CV?
What can we put on the CV for the missing 8 years?

Thanks,
Matt

Mena

That she chose to give up work to look after the family? Worked for my wife.

Edit: In my wife's case it was true however.

Caoimhín

Just be honest.

Its not good to start a new job with a lie. It might not take much investigation for a new employer to work out that she was on illness benefit and if the company/employer doesnt like the fact that someone was ill then maybe they aren't worth working for.

RosieJoe

Personally I would not put it on the CV as it may discourage potential Employers when they read it.

Leave it out and if she does get called for an interview she can explain why in person what was the cause of unemployment. She will most likely get asked about it in the interview.

Mena

RosieJoe wrote: »

Personally I would not put it on the CV as it may discourage potential Employers when they read it.

Leave it out and if she does get called for an interview she can explain why in person what was the cause of unemployment. She will most likely get asked about it in the interview.

I agree with your first point, however leaving it out leaves a big gap on the CV, something nobody likes to see, and that same gap could very well preclude her from getting an interview in the first place, ergo she won't have an opportunity to explain it away.

RosieJoe

Mena wrote: »

I agree with your first point, however leaving it out leaves a big gap on the CV, something nobody likes to see, and that same gap could very well preclude her from getting an interview in the first place, ergo she won't have an opportunity to explain it away.

Really is a catch 22 situation. But what would be worse, having a gap in your CV or mentioning the fact you were on Illness Benefit?

The latter may cause the employer to think of possible sick leave issues.

AARRRGH

If your wife was definitely well enough to go back to work, and the illness is now irrelevant in her day to day life, I would not mention it. She could say she was looking after her family.

You say she wants to "give it a try". Does this mean she isn't well enough, or is she just lacking a bit of confidence?

sNarah

AARRRGH wrote: »

If your wife was definitely well enough to go back to work, and the illness is now irrelevant in her day to day life, I would not mention it. She could say she was looking after her family.

You say she wants to "give it a try". Does this mean she isn't well enough, or is she just lacking a bit of confidence?

That last part would be worrying indeed. If she is indeed "well" at this stage -as in, no reoccurance will happen" just put family on there. If however, this is not the case, she should be honest and mention it. Defo put on the CV since CV's with gaps (even a year) will just be disregarded completety.

herya

Agree, companies don't like CVs with gaps; especially unexplained gaps. It's just not worth the effort to follow up with the candidate to check what the gap is about, to consider whether the reason given is a good reason etc.

I'd put it this way, if she was out of work due to health issues which are now sorted you should be up front and write it down for them then let them make their choice. There's no point in hiding it or lying, if she gets the job it will come out anyway - not the best impression.

Did she do any training or skill improvement during these years? That would help. It looks good if there is some work-related activity esp education, courses etc.

misterm

She's still not well, she doesn't want to go through the Illness benefit appeal, because she dreads the whole thing and it makes her stress and she'll get worse.
I don't think she is well enough to go back to work and if she does, it may be just a matter of time before she is out sick again.

herya

It doesn't sound too good to be honest. Could she work remotely or part-time first?

AARRRGH

misterm wrote: »

She's still not well, she doesn't want to go through the Illness benefit appeal, because she dreads the whole thing and it makes her stress and she'll get worse.
I don't think she is well enough to go back to work and if she does, it may be just a matter of time before she is out sick again.

Work can be stressful, particularly at the moment where a lot of people are worrying about their job and being extra bitchy and political...

If you don't need the money, I don't think it's worth the risk. Not until she's fully better, at least.

misterm

Herya,
I don't know, sh'd have to fins a job that allowed that. and she has no training or experience


AARRRGH,
unfortunately we'll need the money very soon, I personally think we should wait and see if I get well enough to work (i've arthritis, among several other complaints, am on low dose chemotheraphy and i'm on illlness benefit too, my company will soon make me redundant (so I'll loose my pay), as they are closing and am unable to work)

AARRRGH

That's rough...

Well whatever you decide to do, I hope it works out for you, and you both get better soon!

doolox

Knowing how prejudiced the employer class is about even the slightest hint of illness I'd not mention it.
Women are in a great position in this regard in that in our society it is not unusual for them to be the principle childminder in the family.
For older male employers this shouldn't raise too many eyebrows although female employers may feel resentful that a woman put her family over her career and may not hire on that account.
In short you have no way of knowing how an 8 year break for childminding will be taken.
I would say that an 8 year break for health reasons would raise more eyebrows from employers, male or female, old or young.
Why should you be TOTALLY honest with a prospective employer???
Do you think you will be told the day-to-day financial health of the company or the future prospects for your job??
You can bet your life you won't.
Employees will have to start holding their cards close to their chest in the game of life, just as employers always have done.
Of course, once you are IN employment you have to keep an impeccable attendance record and a good work rate going. Returning to work too early may militate against this. Once in work and not attracting adverse attention with a good work rate I doubt a boss will remember whether you missed 8 weeks or 8 years.

Xiney

To be perfectly honest, if your wife has no training or experience, she's unlikely to get a job in the current market whether she says she was out with her family or on illness benefit.

Given the fact that she also does not sound well enough to work, I'd strongly suggest she attempt the appeal, no matter how stressful because it will be less stressful than losing the benefit and having nothing to show for it.

Edited to add: If, however, your wife is determined to work, perhaps she should look into the CE Part-Time Job Option. She has to be over 35 and in receipt of Illness Benefit for over 6 months.