To use my volunteer manager as my UCAS reference instead of my employer

[PoesyCherish]

I'm currently in full time employment although am having huge issues with this (long story short I'm off on the sick due to a joint condition as work aren't making any reasonable adjustments to the working environment).

I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to go back to university. I've been volunteering with a charity for the last year.

WIBU to use my volunteer manager for my reference rather than my employer?

Does anyone know too if they'd want any info from my current employer? I really don't think my current employer would be willing to write me a reference and / or they'd use it as an excuse to get rid of me if they found out I was trying to leave to back to university iyswim

I'd use a person in authority who can vouch for you and knows you well, therefore your manager in your volunteering position will be fine.

I work in HE and have seen references from student's youth workers, social workers and priests. Barely any from employers.

Ahh thanks @RubyWho If you know a student is in full time work, do you tend to ask them much about it?

I asked a senior colleague rather than an actual manager because I wanted to keep it hush hush and the colleague's job was more relevant to the course anyway.

I'm glad you had someone else you could ask @DaveSpondoolix Have you applied this year?

I don't think there's anyone else I can ask at work because everything always gets back to the manager and I can guarantee whoever I asked would them tell him and I'd be in the same situation as if I'd just asked my manager.

That's frustrating for you, OP. I can empathise; it's a big thing applying to uni and you don't want your business discussed by gossips. I was very lucky I guess, but your volunteer manager seems like an good choice. I applied a couple of years ago, starting in 2016. I think the only friends on my course who used their employers were those whose employers were sponsoring them (it's vocational), or who knew and were supportive of them either leaving or going part time. Most of us got colleagues from paid or volunteer work, or tutors from an Access course some people did. There were all different age groups as well so people had different experience.

Sorry @PoesyCherish only just seen this. We only ask if the job is related to the course. If not, we don’t bother.

@PoesyCherish if the student is coming back to education after a while away and is working then we’d focus on why they wanted to come back into education and what they were hoping to gain from the course (aside from a degree or masters)