Former employer not providing reference

[TaffyandTeenyTaffy]

I was offered a new job subject to references/medical/proof of qualfications etc in early October.

My current employer, where I have worked for 9 years, provided a glowing reference within a day or so. My former employer was asked for a reference over a month ago and has still not provided one. Everything else is now in place apart from this.

I e-mailed my former head of department to advise that they would be contacted and asked for a reference and have not had a response, but I understand that at that time she was been off sick/due to a bereavement - not sure if that is still the case. My prospective employers HR department and myself have been chasing their HR for the last week. I spoke to someone who was going to sort it out - but she is now not returning calls/email. Is there anything I can do to get a reference out of them?

The firm I worked at before there has ceased trading and my first employer has died - so I am pretty dependent on this professional reference if my prospective employers insist on a second reference. I am concerned that it reflects badly on me, when I was (in my view!) a good and hard working employee.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Unfortunately there's not much you can do. They don't have to give you a reference. Could you offer a personal reference from someone you used to work with instead? I've had to offer these in the past as following redundancies in two companies recently there's no one working there to give me references so hr just confirm dates and job titles.

Thanks Eagle. They have responded to say that they are looking for my employee file..... after a month!!
I did offer a former colleague but they want someone who was in a manager/supervisory capacity. Its a local authority I am going to and I dont think they have much flexibility. Fingers crossed they have patience!