to worry job offer will be withdrawn?

[Champagne2023]

Due to my previous employer being a nursery which has since closed down?

I have a bad sickness record with the current one I’ve been with for 3 years due to an accident so am worrying now if they can’t get hold of previous ( which was impeccable ) they may retract?

I don't think an accident would give cause for concern, it is not going to recur.

Has your accident resolved, you are no longer off work? And how long a period - presumably some of the time your record was good?

The first 2 years were fine and the last 6 months I haven’t had one day off
I’m just concerned as they won’t be able to get hold of the previous place as the nursery has since closed, they’ll rely much more on this one being perfect which it won’t be
No long term affects and was signed off by OH months ago before I returned

This will be fine, any decent employed will either not ask at all (equalities reasons) or ask you what it was about. An accident is fine.

Good luck though, hope it is all fine.

they might retract the offer yeh. Hopefully not

Just really worried as my line manager is so unapproachable I haven’t even asked him if he’s received the reference as I can’t bring myself to so I feel completely in the dark

Why don't you tell your (potential) new employer about the reason for your sickness? Say what you've said here about your excellent track record before, the first two years and your last six months being fine. Agree with PP, accidents can happen to anyone and this won't recur so it shouldn't be an issue.

I get the sense you are desperate to leave. Talk to your new employer, explain it.

They didn’t ask about sickness so I didn’t want to volunteer it in interview or in the half a minute conversation I had when they called to offer me the job!
what do jobs do if a previous place of work has actually closed down??

Do you have a manager from the closed down place that you can get in contact with to confirm you worked there? Doesn’t matter if that manager is in a new job.

My previous workplace closed down, which is why I was made redundant & was jobseeking in the first place- I DM’d my previous manager on Facebook and asked if she would be willing to give a reference (which of course she was- she knew why we were all looking for work). She gave me her email & phone number as well as the number of her current workplace.

They usually ask for an alternative reference if the first is unavailable. In your line of work they have to check them.

Phone them today and explain both things. They want you to work for them! Be cheerful and honest.

Don't wait for them to find out about your second reference, that'll just waste their time. That is the bigger issue than the accident, IMO.

Are you worried you current employer will give an unfair reference? You can challenge that if it happens.

I know it is hard but the best way to deal with things is directly.

I definitely wouldn’t ring them, I think that could open up a whole can of worms, most employers just give very basic information on references these days, dates to and from etc. I would sit tight and wait.

I had a full year of work when I had cancer, when I went for my next job they did ask about my sick leave, I explained and they said it was completely understandable, it wasn't a problem at all. Like you I hadn't had any other time off sick the whole time I worked there.

Did you give uncontactable details as a reference? Is that the problem? If the nursery has closed and the details you have are no longer usable (phone doesn’t ring, no one answering emails), then I would search out your old employer at their new job and ask for their details for a reference ASAP and pass those on to your new prospective employer. I’ve worked in recruitment. I wouldn’t worry about the sickness but if you’ve given details for a referee that just isn’t an active company then they’ll come back to you and ask for another referee. Better to be proactive and get that for them now.

are you fit now?

have they sent you an occ health form?

I’ve tried to find her on Facebook but can’t
I think she relocated a long way away when we shut down - she was very upset
I am worried it could be unfair as I think he doesn’t like the fact I have children and days I’ve requested for unpaid have always been a problem ( for child’s hospital visits etc - a&e not regular issues! )
i am fit now and signed off from OH months ago!

What references are they asking for?

im not familiar with nursery references but a typical reference is just to confirm employment dates?
it has to be factual too / if they do tell your new employer they will then presumably ask you and you can explain?

or contact them to say your first reference is no longer open do they need another?

Have you tried LinkedIn? You could do a search of the old nursery name and it would bring up any past employees that have the nursery on their profile.

I have tried Linkedln but no luck!
Oddly my current manager must have received the reference Monday and has not spoken to me at all - when I say unapproachable I’m not kidding!
It feels too awkward for me to ask if he’s received it so I’m just going to have to let it play out I think but not give notice until I hear back from the new HR place that they’re satisfied!

D