NHS reference…

[IntrovertedGal]

I left my current NHS job as it was such a long commute and I was newly qualified with no support in a busy mental health team and handed a hugeeee caseload. I went on the bank instead and handed in notice.

A dream job, closer to home with a great supportive team came up and I was successful! It’s In the same trust and has better development opportunity! I am so pleased. Internal transfer surely shouldnt be hard? I’m already working for the trust still as bank.

Everything is complete HR wise, apart from the bloody reference from my ex line manager. She was awful to deal with anyway and would always shoo me away from her door when I needed help… I’ve emailed every day to request the reference be completed. Nothing. No replies. It’s been a week, I asked a colleague to ask her and she mentioned she off on annual leave after today!! For over 2 weeks. I’ve emailed constantly. HR have even pestered her everyday!

What to do?? I knew this would be battle with the manager, she’s horrible. Can HR contact my other references that I’ve known longer anyway!? It’s so annoying..

Would it be unreasonable to make a complaint as it’s holding me up but also mention the other complaints in the role?

You're being very rude emailing them everyday, that's understandably going to piss people off.

Ask HR if you can use an alternative reference. It's likely they'll expect you to wait for your recent ex manager to return though, they'll want a reference from your current/ most recent manager as its in-house.

It may be rude, but I wouldn’t just leave someone hanging and waiting around either. Even a ‘I’ll get around to it’ would do, there’s been no acknowledgement. I’ll ask them if that’s possible.

It's beyond rude. She has a job to do, and your reference won't be at the top of her list! Can't you ask HR to agree to give you an unconditional offer subject to this reference eventually being completed?

I understand that, we all have things to get on with but It’s not fair letting others hang around when it would probably take 10 mins to fill online form. I wouldn’t usually be so impatient but she’s away for ages now! I’ll see what HR can do next week.

Surely, writing a reference is part of her job? Would it be much more than certifying the time you've worked in the position you worked in? Your ex-managed just needs to get it done.

I had this with internal transfer and so did a friend of mine, takes ages but maybe ask HR to give her a nudge or get in touch with employee relations (if your trust has one) also, there's usually more than one line manager so maybe try asking the others or Matron?

Why are you emailing every day? I wouldn’t do it for as long as possible if I were her. You’re being annoying and she’s being annoying back

O.p is well within her rights to expect her reference to be written and returned within the expected time frame. Yes NHS managers are busy but supporting staff who work in the team or have worked in the team is part of that job. How long does it take to tick a few boxes and return it to HR?

That’s petty, it’s part of your job!