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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this surely isn't my responsibility

106 replies

theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 15:48

DH is not working full time due to ill health, so reluctantly I have registered with a supply teaching agency.

One reference has duly been returned without a problem. However, a school I worked at has since seen the Head been dismissed.

The school were awful to work for/at. Anyway the agency can't get a reference so have told me to contact the school. AIBU to think surely this doesn't lie with me?

OP posts:
Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:20

Yes, I know, but no reference has been provided.

People seem to think I can sort this by picking up the phone and having a polite chat, but the point is that if they have ignored numerous polite requests via the agency then they probably aren't likely to suddenly jump when I ask, unless I am missing a trick.

Anyway, it really isn't important.

OP posts:
Etymology23 · 02/10/2017 16:22

I really don't understand why that wouldn't be appropriate.

"Hello there, I'm Ms Memory, I worked at the school from X date to Y date. I've just registered with supply agency Z and they will have got in touch for a reference. They haven't received a reply and I'm really keen to get my references sorted to I can start work. Could you let me know who I would be best off getting in touch with to get this sorted please, as I'm aware the head has changed since I was last at the school!"

Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:23

I have no problem doing that et

The issue is that the agency already have, so as I've said, I can't see them suddenly responding to me.

OP posts:
Etymology23 · 02/10/2017 16:25

I spend my life having to get people to give me data when they have no desire to do so - polite persistence is the key! Just keep asking again and again and eventually it'll be less trouble to do what you want. Telephone can be extra good if you can get someone to put you through as they have to deal with you then.

If I just want a confirmation I would telephone, get through to the relevant person, then send an email with the agency ccd in saying "please could you confirm that Ms memory was employed at x from y to z" then it's zero effort for them to reply all and confirm.

Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:26

I don't know. We'll see. Anyway, doesn't matter. Thanks.

OP posts:
graceadlerdesigns · 02/10/2017 16:29

OP you've not even tried...

SecretEscapesWannabe · 02/10/2017 16:31

No, you haven't OP. Sorry. You need to be a bit proactive.... if you want a job that is.

HaHaHmm · 02/10/2017 16:33

I don’t know why it doesn’t matter now when it was important enough for an AIBU forty minutes ago.

Anyway. It’s good manners to inform a referee that you’re putting them down before you do so. You should have contacted HR and notified them that you were giving their details, and that you would be grateful if they responded to any forthcoming requests from the agency.

Of COURSE they are more likely to respond to you than to the agency. We get masses of calls from agencies and they don’t often get past our receptionist.

existentialmoment · 02/10/2017 16:34

People seem to think I can sort this by picking up the phone and having a polite chat

Since you can't be arsed to try this, how would you know you can't sort it that way? you don't.

You've tried nothing and you're all out of ideas, man.

SecretEscapesWannabe · 02/10/2017 16:34

Op- you really CAN sort this by picking up the phone and having a polite chat.

Really.

Pick up the phone. Say you worked there.Can they confirm the dates you worked via e-mail or a letter.

Done.

disappearingninepatch · 02/10/2017 16:36

Do you know anyone who still works at the school? When I registered with a supply agency, they wouldn't take two references from the same school, although I had worked there forever. They eventually took a "character reference" from someone I happened to know who worked in their office. Grin

Supply teaching is fab. I love it.

Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:36

So why would they ignore the agency and respond to me?

Genuinely?

OP posts:
peachgreen · 02/10/2017 16:36

I've often had to chase references personally - I don't think it's that unusual...

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 02/10/2017 16:37

So why would they ignore the agency and respond to me?

Why wouldn't you bother trying if you actually want the job?

existentialmoment · 02/10/2017 16:37

Jesus, I hope you're not this inept as a teacher.

BabsGanoush · 02/10/2017 16:37

Sorry to hear your DH is unwell. This is probably the last thing you need to be chasing up.

As others have said, polite persistence. Phone the school, get a name and 'hound' them. You could email a draft reference, therefore saving them time (along Etymology23's post), so all they have to do is cut and paste.

Alternatively, turn up at the school and hang around reception until someone sorts this out. Make a (polite) nuisance of yourself sort of thing.

Good luck.

wannabestressfree · 02/10/2017 16:39

@existentialmoment that’s a bit harsh.

SecretEscapesWannabe · 02/10/2017 16:39

If your DH is unwell and you need to work for the family then step up to to the plate OP.

Really.

BusterTheBulldog · 02/10/2017 16:41

Oh my god. Just ring them!!!! The agency might have left a confusing message, incorrect number, not been clear- who knows! Just RING THEM!

PlainOldJosephineMary · 02/10/2017 16:41

OP, pretty much every reply has explained to you the best course of action. Why are you ignoring them all? The academy has probably not responded to the agency as the agency is probably speaking to someone at a switchboard or going through to an admin managers voicemail. You would know who to speak to - so just pick up the phone???

Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:42

Like I say, it is supply teaching not "the job" per ss.

I have never had to chase a reference myself, am surprised it seems so common. I guess if you know the person providing it ist is different.

Existensial maybe I am inept, because I'm not picking up a phone and talking to people I don't know demanding they provide a reference for someone they don't know - I'm trying here, but comments like that aren't helpful and much as I appreciate AIBU can be direct, comments like those are really quite hurtful to read.

So I will say again, it really isn't important. Evidently things have changed recently and I didn't know.

OP posts:
OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 02/10/2017 16:43

Lots of reasons why they'd ignore the agency and not you - not least because saying to someone "I need you to do this so I can start my job" is going to be a lot more motivating than "Can you provide a reference for Candidate A who said she worked here".

Original poster
theonememoryIforget · 02/10/2017 16:43

I'm not ringing them now as it's nearly five o clock. I shall try tomorrow. Thank you for your replies.

OP posts:
Seeingadistance · 02/10/2017 16:44

Jesus, I hope you're not this inept as a teacher.

I agree, and I don't think this is being harsh. The OP seems to have no initiative, self-motivation, wit or common sense.

Maybe this is acting as some kind of filtering system - those who can't organise a reference and don't even see why they should, don't get into the classroom.

dudsville · 02/10/2017 16:44

In answer to your question why would they respond to you when they haven't responded to them.... or really is just about you being proactive. References are often requested by email, there might be a wrong email address or it the email might be lost under a pile of other emails or the people who don't know you might not care. By phoning you light a fire that could get something done because they have to provide that proof you were where you said you were.