To think I don’t need to put my last employer on my references?

[Yellowpellow]

I’m currently applying for a job that is an almost identical role to my previous employment just over a year ago. I left my most recent job after 6 weeks there, on mental health grounds as I found myself having a nervous breakdown and then went on to be diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. I’m now in a position to return to the workplace.

The application form I’m filling in (local council) is asking for my current or most recent employment.
I really don’t want to put the most recent one down as I was only there for 6 weeks and the didn’t know me at all. My employment prior to that was in a very similar role again and I was there for 4 years. I’d much rather put that place down as my reference, but equally, I don’t want to be found out because I’ve lied on my application form.

Can anyone help please?!

Personally I’d not.

I think you should put it on the form but you don't need to use them for a reference.

You can choose whoever you want as your reference/a.

I wouldn't put them on there if you're willing to explain an employment gap.

@Bluntness100 would there be a paper trail that they’ll follow and find out the truth though?

In the employment section there’s a big section for current/most recent employer…I have much more to write for the one I was employed in for four years.
Maybe I should put a little note at the bottom about the 6 weeks job. Just as an N.B?

@Yellowpellow

In the employment section there’s a big section for current/most recent employer…I have much more to write for the one I was employed in for four years. Maybe I should put a little note at the bottom about the 6 weeks job. Just as an N.B?

Was the 6 weeks employment within the council? If not, don't bother. They'll never know.

Honestly I’d leave it out. How will they find out. And if it comes to it you can just say oh it was a few weeks, so felt the longer role was relevant, but by that time you’d have the job. On an application I’d not mention it.

There’s also a section: ‘reason for leaving’ which I guess if I used the employer I was with for 6 weeks, I could say ‘ill health’.

@girlmom21 unfortunately it was, and the same council too. It’s a school.

If it's a job that requires a DBS or safer recruitment process then either leave the job off completely or be prepared to include them in references - they will check and they will follow up on discrepancies like that.

@clockover

You can choose whoever you want as your reference/a.

No, you can’t. You may be able to pick a personal reference, though. That defeats the whole point of references. All companies want a reference from your most recent employer, and even that doesn’t mean you can pick your manager or colleague. It goes through HR.

If it's the same council then I think you have to put it in otherwise they'll think you're hiding it. Your idea about adding a note would probably be ok though:

I've just seen your update, yeah you have to include it I'm afraid, a simple HR check will show that immediately.

If it’s a school you need to be extra careful. They go through them carefully and any gaps need to be explained.

They might wonder why your P45 doesn’t come from the organisation you are claiming as your last employer, though.

Most public sector application forms have a bit of rubric with them telling you what to put in the boxes. The ones I have seen recently ask you to account for all time, including employment breaks. You can explain what happened in your personal statement, or as a note under the box you fill in which talks about your achievements in the role.

Having helped someone apply for a local council job recently, you couldn't leave any gaps at all so if you were unemployed you had to add that to the application. If yours is the same and you say you were unemployed and they discover you were in that job (from your P45?) It might cause an issue. You don't need to use them as a reference though.

As long as you can explain the gap away, I wouldn't bother. There isn't a forensic paper trail leading back, and we are in a new tax year for Tax code purposes.

Since your last "proper" job what have you been doing?

I would focus on the skills and experience from your last role, and explain what you have done in the year since.

Sorry MrsTulip Cross posted

I really disagree with those saying not to put it down. You must put it down. Schools are hot on this. It will jeopardise your chance of getting the job otherwise, and you may get the job offer rescinded if they discover you weren’t truthful.

Since that role I have done volunteering. I’ve also been the main carer for my 3 year old.
I’ve been seeing a therapist regularly too. I guess I shouldn’t put that down though.

I will need a DBS so I guess I’ll have to include them. Oh I do hope it won’t go against me that I was only there 6 weeks

I think for a school job you’ll cause yourself bigger problems trying to hide that part of your employment history than just putting it down. It risks you looking dishonest and that raises a concern about what else you might be hiding.

Ah! Just seen your update, same council I wouldn't risk it.

A simple check with HR and it would unravel.

I’ll put it down, will it go against me and mean I won’t get the job? I had a doctors note and I will put down I left because of ill health.