Help from lovely people please!

[Bubbles9]

Managed to find a job I badly need as a single parent with two children with disabilities. A former manager agreed to write a reference - we have have been on good terms always, but it’s been three weeks and she hasn’t done the reference and I badly need to start. Now says she is poorly with hay fever. What can I do? Thank you ladies xx

Just keep nudging her, keep in communication with your new employer about the delay, or find a new reference?

Good advice, thank you. Will give her a week. I have another referee that has offered to help but from a previous job - so perhaps may need to take that. Sadly she was all enthusiastic about doing it and then out of blue said I’m poorly with hay fever please don’t text until I’m well. So there we go. I’m just anxious as I tend to do everything I can to help others with their careers. So maybe more patience…and let new employer know she is unwell so it’s late?? Thank you for quick sound advice - so kind xx

If you’re desperate start I would ask the new reference if they can do a quick turn around, if so get them to do it and then text the hayfever person to cancel, say thanks but you’ve asked someone else as you want to start ASAP.

I would use your other person for a reference.

I suffer horribly with hay-fever but it wouldn't stop me typing up a quick reference. I call BS

She's found out she can't/shouldn't give you a reference, it should come from HR and just be factual with dates and role or someone has dissuaded her for whatever reason. Ask someone else to provide a reference instead.

Go above her or to HR for who ever you worked for.