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Original poster

Job offer may be withdrawn because I can't get a work related reference

45 replies

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:13

I will try to be as brief as I can.

Basically, I was offered a job about a month ago working within the NHS. At interview and on my application it was made quite clear that I haven't worked for the past 5 years.

I put down one character reference and a reference from someone at the last place I worked.

Now, I know the work ref person personally and so when I was offered the job, I told them they'd be getting a request for a ref and they said they'd been told that they were no longer allowed to do references and that they had to be sent to head office. I was completely sure that they were telling the truth, but just left it at that.

The HR dept of the hospital have just rung to say that they have had the ref from head office of where I worked and that it is no good as it isn't detailed enough, as all it does is state how long I worked there and thats it.

They wanted to know why the person I stated hadn't done the ref and I told them. They said could I try and get in touch with them and ask if they will just write a few lines stating that I worked with then and was a good worker etc.

Trouble is I am not sure if they will do this. If they don't, then I have absolutly no one else I can ask and the job offer gets withdrawn.

OP posts:

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 14/07/2010 16:15

That is really harsh How are people supposed to get back into work after a gap if employers are going to be so inflexible?

ShatnersBassoon · 14/07/2010 16:17

Just ask the person you put down originally. There's nothing to stop them giving their own additional reference.

Don't panic about it. You just need to ask again.

expatinscotland · 14/07/2010 16:18

What a crock of shit! I completely agree with Ali.

Also, I think references that go into detail are a crock of shit.

Because a) often old workplaces are bound by law not to go into detail b) otherwise it's just people who are going to be favourable, anyhow.

What's the point? I mean, what does it say about the people doing the hiring, that they can't make an assessment of the person they're hiring themselves?

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:19

Oh I am going to ask them, but I have a feeling they might have lied about not being able to do it themselves in the first place, because they don't want to do it.

If they say no, then I am stuffed.

It is so annoying. I can give them a million character refs but they said no, it has to be a work related one.

OP posts:

ViveLaFrak · 14/07/2010 16:20

Ask HR of your previous company to make an exception and get your previous co-worker to do a more detailed ref. Then get back in touch with them to say you've cleared it with HR and you'd really appreciate it.

A lot of companies just do very basic refs now.

expatinscotland · 14/07/2010 16:20

What if you've never worked? How bullshit!

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:21

I don't even have the persons number anymore. Have just asked a mutual friend if they have it.

I can message them on fb but i'd bet on not getting a reply.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:22

I thought of that Vive, but think I might ask the person involved first. Just incase HR say NO, and then get back to him to say, if this person asks then don't do it.

I am beginning to think he made it all up though and just sent it to HR to do himself.

OP posts:

scurryfunge · 14/07/2010 16:25

Firms should only be giving confirmation of your position and how long you worked there, nothing more. The HR department is talking crap.

ShatnersBassoon · 14/07/2010 16:25

They won't say no. I think it is standard practice for refs to come from Head Office rather than an individual, so your referee will probably be as confused as you are. Make it easy for your friend, and tell them precisely what they need to say. Make it clear that you owe them one in return, and they'll come up with the reference you need.

UpsyDaisyOne · 14/07/2010 16:29

I would try not to panic- I work in recruitment and sometimes it can be hard for people to get the right references as companies can be quite specific about who they need references from and wanting detailed ones- often the same companies who don't allow their employees to write personal references. It is tricky though- companies are worried about being sued and so put out these blanket bans, however it is good pratice to ask for references and I would not be impressed with a company who did not call up references at all and then had a problem with the employee.

However I think it very unlikely they would withdraw the offer without exploring all possible solutions, as the recruitment process is time consuming. Did you go through an agency- if so then the consultant will be keen to help rather than lose their commission and the goodwill of the client!

Could the person at your old work write the reference as a personal reference instead, but mentioning your work record? If this person won't would someone else- worth tracking down any possible ex-managers to ask- linked-in is good for this. Or have you done anything which could be counted as 'work' while you have not been working- freelance work, voluntary work for a charity/ organisation, helped out at a school on a semi-formal basis etc? These are both solutions I have used in this situation.

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:30

God I am confused now lol.

HR of the new job said all they want is for him to write a few lines saying, that I worked there with him and a bit about me being a good time keeper, hard worker etc.

I think I can probably get him to do it. I will use my powers of persuasion.

OP posts:

scurryfunge · 14/07/2010 16:32

Write your own reference and ask him to sign it

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:32

Not done anything else where I can ask for a ref no.

I am going to try and contact this person first and ask them to write a personal one inc details about work and then if they say no, I will ring both HR depts and see if there is anything else I can do.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:33

Lol scurry that is actually not a bad idea

I have previously told him to say that I am fab etc etc lol.

If all else fails I do actually have info that I can blackmail him with

OP posts:

Quality · 14/07/2010 16:49

It is rubbsih, I worked for civil service and they don't give individual references, even though I needed one for a uni course, I managed to find someone willing to write one.

A friend actually lost ehr job after a few weeks as the reference they were waiting for came from head office and just said 'x has worked for us on these dates' they said it wasn't good enough and let her go, AFTER she had worked for them wankers.

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:50

Omg Quality, that is absolutly awful, you poor friend.

OP posts:

fluffles · 14/07/2010 16:54

My current workplace does not allow us to write 'employment' references for past or current employees.

The request has to go to HR who will tell them that we worked here and our attendence record only.

I believe we can however write a 'personal' reference (how could they stop us?) but it has to be clear that it's our own personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of the organisation.

bloody back-covering!

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 16:59

Hmm ok, that's what I will have to ask him to do then.

Why do they have to make everything go complicated.

OP posts:

snorkie · 14/07/2010 17:00

Have you done any voluntary work that you could use instead?

nancydrewrocks · 14/07/2010 17:00

Due to the legal issues surrounding inaccuracies in more detailed references the vast majority of large companies/organisations will no longer provide anything more specific than a confirmation that a person worked at the company/organisation during a particular time frame.

I would not be at all suprised of the person you contacted is in fact telling the truth - much of the civil service for example has a blanket ban on the provision of references by anyone other than HR.

Your best bet may be to get the HR company at your last place of work to provide an additional statement explaining that the bland reference they have provided is company policy and no adverse inferences should be drawn from it.

Oh and I agree the situation sucks.

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 14/07/2010 17:02

Nope no voluntary work unfortunatly.

It sems like such a daft rule. Even if HR do write stating that this is the only type of ref they give, the HR of the new place have already said it isn't enough.

OP posts:

lateSeptember1964 · 14/07/2010 17:09

I have a similar problem at the moment with the NHS. I have just been for an interview for return to practice Midwifery. I have not practiced for over 23 years as a Midwife but they expect me to get a reference from the hospital if I am offered a place on the course. I have supplied them with two references one from my recent teaching job and one from my recent nursing practice. The lady who interviewed me said they were excellent but they would still need one from when I was employed as a Midwife over 20 years ago. I think it must be an NHS thing!

QueenofWhatever · 14/07/2010 22:31

It sounds odd and as if the NHS HR person is being really pedantic. Phone the person who you would be working for and explain the issue. They could have a word with HR themselves, they wouldn't want a job offer to fall through because of something so petty.

seeyoukay · 15/07/2010 02:14

Give them a mobile for friend or someone and just tell them to lie.

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