People are less in control of being ill (and more likely to be sympathised with) than walking out of a job with some dubious background to the reasons why...disciplinary hearings and wotnot. Far easier to look the interviewer in the eye and say "I dont have up-to-date employment history because I've been ill quite a while" than to say "Um well, my boss didnt like me, they wanted to get rid of me so they made up lies about me not ironing my uniform and being rude to patients, and they wanted to take me to a disciplinary hearing so I walked out the job with no job to go to and penniless".....

I've only been concerned about long term sickness when appointing new staff, if it looks like a reoccurring illness, mental or physical.

If when asked about the illness it seems specific to circumstances for mental health, a particular situation, or for physical health, maybe something like a kidney stone, that once removed is no longer a health issue.

Han, if this is still causing you grief then message me. I've been in a (very) similar situation myself and I can get you some legal advice from my place. Our litigation department has some shithot employment lawyers, and they owe me one anyway.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. It has not affected me getting other jobs, so that is something positive.

You can get round the possible negative from future employers by saying the workings in the NHS made you ill, that situation won't apply in the private sector. I was threatened and followed home, made me totally stressed out, NO support from my manager and it just got too much. The places I now work don't get that "type" of customer!

It is illegal to fire somewhile for being sick. However, the Gov don't push it as they need the employers cooperation to make SSP work!

Don't quit the job while you are being paid. Becoming voluntarily unemployed means you get no benefit for a period of time (don't know what it is now as it changes).

It is illegal to give a bad reference. The worst they can do is the standard "this person worked at this place between these dates" Unfortunately, this is usually followed with a phone call that gets an "off the record" reference.

When you do get another job and need a reference, see if you can contact someone other than your previous supv, who will supply a reference. Alternative, get your next job through an agency, tell them the facts, they will get the reference and sell you into the job as they see best. They may even be able to find the truth behind this and let you know so it doesn't happen again.

Talk to your doctor. Take the meds - they will help. Go out and mix with people, if you don't, you'll start to find it difficult to leave the house.

When you feel you can, get another job, but don't rush it or you'll be in a worse situation than you are now.

For the future, if you find you have a "bully" for a manager, talk to someone about it early on. Keep a diary of what was said and how it made you feel. Unfortunatley, you will meet someone everywhere you work that is a bit like this. In some places they get away with it and in others they don't. You either learn to get on with them, find someone on their level who you can talk to and get their advice or move on.

It's best to find a way to deal with it, or you are always changing jobs and that looks much worse.

I wish you the best and hope it works out for you, if you know you have worked hard, always do your best and try to learn as much as possible, then other managers / supervisors will be able to see that and help you if something like this happens again.

Hope that helps