Hi all, need some advice about getting back into work.
Prior to my stroke in 2022 I’d spent 9 years working for the same company as a FLT driver. 18 months ago my manager and HR came round to see me a couple of times and eventually after also seeing occupational health, they had to let me go on medical grounds. At the time my manager told and texted me that when I was ready he would give me my job back. The problem I have now is having spoken to him yesterday, it’s sounding unlikely they’ll take me back
If i end up applying for a new job or contact an employment agency. How do I approach the fact I haven’t worked for the last 2 years? I’ve got FLT license and I might be able to get hold of the last refresher course I did.
It’s the one thing I’ve been dreading, the possibility of having to a fresh somewhere else.
Hi Wayne,
If it were me I’d tell them that I had a medical issue that I’ve now recovered from sufficiently to not impact on my ability to undertake the role that I’m applying for.
The law around what and when employers can request regarding medical information is very much in the potential employees favour to ensure that there is no discrimination however you do have to be honest.
In reality I’m sure that you’ll be able to gauge how much you want to divulge from how comfortable you feel with the interviewer.
If you are interested in the legalities, I did a quick google and found the follwing which gives a good overview.
take care mate and all the very best in your job hunt, I know that it’s not going to be the same with the same workmates that you’ve mentioned in the past but not being the same doesn’t mean that it might not be a better job with better workmates.
Rich C. (4 miles from Bashley 
)
Thanks rich 
The problem with is that I say too much. I’m not one who keeps shtum. I’m going to have to zip it 
Is it worth considering if a career change would give you increased satisfaction?
@stokiejoey it’s difficult to know how to approach it. Maybe just cover it in your cv by saying out of work then decide at an interview how much you want to divulge if you need to. If you do want to tell them then try & tell them about in such a way that says you can overcome challenges etc which employers often like in their employees.
Good luck with the job hunting. Hopefully your previous employer will give you a glowing reference.
Thank you.
Simon, I’ve reached that time in life ( nearly 50) where my career changes come to an end. Since leaving school I’ve done all sorts, ski instructor( local dry ski slope) costings clerk,mobile phone engineer, gym installer.
For last 20 years I’ve been a FLT driver and the last 10 at the same company. I loved my job, I loved my work mates. It was somewhere I just wanted to be for the rest of my working life. That’s why the prospect of not going back is so hard to take. I’ve always been a believer of " it’s not what you know it’s who you know" I’m hoping a few old mates might be able to help me out.
I know I’ll get a good reference, but I’m not sure if fatigue and still a lack of physical strength will be an issue. I need to be in work to improve that physical strength. I’ve never been the strongest. I’ve got arms like twiglets!
See, I do tend to waffle 
Is it worth trying a job coach at your Jobcentre? They should at least know the legalities.
Never heard of that but I’ll take a look on Google
Thanks
Fairy snuff 
Which case just get the start date to present and mark it “Life altering medical condition” and you don’t have to expand on that. At interview when they ask you can say ”I’ve spent the time since going through rehabilitation to give me the capabilities I present to you now. It’s been a character building time and you will benefit from my breadth and depth of maturity. My medical details are between me and my medical team." If the interview is done without an HR person they may not be aware of the law so you can clarify that for them if there is nature person present they will know what recruitment boundaries are,…
(Ski slope wasn’t Hill End was it?)
Caio
Simon
No Simon it was kidsgrove ski centre( north staffs ski club)
I’ve skiied at Sheffield ski slope. Now abandoned and derelict and features in Full Monty tv series.
I’ve only skiied on snow once and that was indoor at Tamworth.
Haven’t skiied since 1997. I was a good instructor but not a particularly great skiier
I’ll shut up now
All the best and thank you for the replies
At one time I lived in Canada and I was pretty good on the skis - down hill not cross country
Skiing is about bottle, especially if it’s slalom or mogul skiing and tricks. Have you ever heard of a bloke called Glenn Plake? look him up on YouTube. He was an incredible off piste skiier.
My former boss at kidsgrove ski centre was a bloke called Chris Poole. I remained good friends with him after I left. Sadly he was killed in an avalanche in Italy aged just 33 in December 97( that’s why i haven’t skiied since then). His death hit me really hard. I loved the bloke. He was the first person to give me a break after I left school. He instilled confidence in me and changed me from a quiet shy 16 year old. Apart from my wife and daughters, the biggest influence on my life
No don’t know either - I was just a competent skier in about '77
I had an accountant whose son’s used hill end and where national standard. Surname Mavor.
Co’s like B&Q (kingfisher who also own Screwfix) and IKEA have a favourable recruitment policy & wherehouses - Which will also be the case for all internet fronted co’s
How about being an FLT instructor at a local tech collage or an RTITB issuing train co. There are two near me (donno where you are - you might have said, can’t remember)
Have a good Sunday
Had the opportunity a few years ago when the company decided to do in house training. 2 other lads were chosen instead and sent to Chesterfield for the week to do the course. Not something I’d be looking to do now. Gonna spend this coming week checking indeed website and local employment agencies