What do you say on an interview when they ask this

[BrocLuno]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Your answer is fine plus they could always find out from HR how many days have been missed. So it's good you told the truth. Plus if they're that anal about sick days you may not want to work for them.


They cant find out from HR if you interviewing at at a different employer. Internal job interview, yes, external interview, no.
Employers aren't suppose to give current and EX employees seeking a job elsewhere a report card to other companies.
They can verify yes, "Joe Smith" worked as a "Milk Man" from 10/10/2010 to currently employed here or to 01/01/2015?
They cant say "Joe Smith was a worthless guy that never showed up to work and was terminated.
The HUGE reason why it's easier to get a job while your already employed is because people lie and say they quit when in fact they were terminated
and the prospective employer typically cant obtain the truth.



Yeah, but they will ... HR from one firm to another is a "good ol boys club". They may never put it in writing. But for any kind of a high pay/high stress job, they always dig for answers. Maybe off the record, maybe off-site "hey, lets have a drink and chat", etc. Ain't legal, but often done ...

My BIL was HR manager for a tech company. They all talk ... hat HR at the new firm wants to make sure is that they don't OK a bad apple and get stuck with the blame as that could affect their career ...

The OP did just right. If you have a family, they expect some answer, and between self and family a few days a year is about right

 

[ZeeOSix]

Two times a year is probably way below the average. I usually 'burn up' all my allotted sick leave (10 days a year) because if I don't use it I only get paid about 1/4 of it's value when it rolls over. Using it, I get full pay and get the day off.

 

[bubbatime]

"My job gave me unlimited sick time off. I took a couple months off."

Wait for their eyebrows to raise, "Naw, just kidding. I rarely if ever call out. Maybe once or twice a year."

 

[Vuflanovsky]

A similar question was asked of me once and I told them "maybe a couple days a year" and then told them that I maxed out my vacation and had most sick days remaining when I left my last job...which was true. It almost seemed like they'd never heard that before but that would be the way I would portray it...not just the answer but something that substantiates that you didn't use sick or vacation days to any particular degree.

 

[Dyusik]

Easy. I missed work once, for 3 hours, due to uncontrollable vomiting. Once it was done, came back and finished my shift. Missing work because you're sick is nonsense.

 

[fdcg27]

I'm not sure that this is a question they are entitled to ask, but you gave a good answer.
Everyone on an inflexible schedule calls off now and then for some reason.
Most employers know this and expect it.
What makes this an especially stupid question is that it's one where they can't check the honesty of your answer unless you were interviewing for a promotion with your current employer, in which case they already know the answer.
Not too many HR folks are going to give a prospective employer this information, since it's lawsuit bait and would also cost the loose-lipped personnel employee his or her job should it ever come out.

 

[WANG]

I do not like it when people come to work sick. It is inconsiderate.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I don't think they can ask that; you could have said you choose not to answer.
Medical information is protected.
I guess you answered it pretty well.
I might say I would stay home to get better and not spread the illness.
Plus, my work can be done at home...
Good Luck!

 

[JustinH]

I have 350 hours of sick time in my bank, when I quit I won't get it paid out.

Guess whos the loser in this equation.

I never get sick but about 2 times a year I need to blow off work and relax at home.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Your answer is fine plus they could always find out from HR how many days have been missed. So it's good you told the truth. Plus if they're that anal about sick days you may not want to work for them.


Company policy were I worked was no information be given out on your employees. If you had an employee and you wanted to give him a personal recordation ok but no official company information. I seven years I gave a recommendation to one employee.

 

[javacontour]

I would say not very often. Never used all my sick days and only used them if I would infect others with a bad cold or flu. I try to be a good team player and not infect others be they our team or customers.

 

[ZZman]

How many days does your company offer?

 

[RazorsEdge]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
How many days does your company offer?


They give everyone 5 sick days,otherwise you need to put in a request for a vacation day.

This has been an interesting thread,thanks for your views and thoughts on this while deal

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Dyusik
Easy. I missed work once, for 3 hours, due to uncontrollable vomiting. Once it was done, came back and finished my shift. Missing work because you're sick is nonsense.


Ah you are that guy.

The one that gets me sick 2-3x a year. Coughing all over.. handling the shared equipment. ugh...

PS at my job if you are vomiting they send you home.. you arent allowed to work until a doctor clears you.

 

[The motor guy]

I puked two days ago for the first time in a couple years.

 

[red7404]

the truth to that answer can very by a LOT. i have gone 1 year with NO sick days. then one time i started a new job and in 30 days i missed 2 weeks .

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Two times a year is probably way below the average. I usually 'burn up' all my allotted sick leave (10 days a year) because if I don't use it I only get paid about 1/4 of it's value when it rolls over. Using it, I get full pay and get the day off.

It's illegal to pay out sick leave here in Oz. I'v got 2years+ accrued

I had 2 days off in 2014 when I had Bell's Palsey.

 

[Silk]

We get 6 days a year, and can only build up 2 years worth. I can't remember when I last had a sick day, it'd be many years.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I'm not sure that this is a question they are entitled to ask, but you gave a good answer.
Everyone on an inflexible schedule calls off now and then for some reason.
Most employers know this and expect it.
What makes this an especially stupid question is that it's one where they can't check the honesty of your answer unless you were interviewing for a promotion with your current employer, in which case they already know the answer.
Not too many HR folks are going to give a prospective employer this information, since it's lawsuit bait and would also cost the loose-lipped personnel employee his or her job should it ever come out.


Yep, people asking for stuff that would get you sacked for providing it if you worked for them is a modern trend.

Had a guy leaving, and a number of his potential future companies asked for pay-dockets/former contracts.

It's pernicious, in that the obvious intent is to "Wow" you with the new pay, while not revealing their side, what you are REALLY worth to them...coupled with the threat that revealing such information from them, to others is a breach.

 

[Silk]

My last few employers know exactly how many sick days I take a year, because some have worked with me before. Also, small town...someone saw you not at work today....