Worried that ex-employer could spoil chances of doing a uni' course

[rubyandemeraldslippers]

I plan to apply to a course related to my current occupation. One of the entry criteria is experience in that sector. I have good experience.

The problem is that I left my job to take the employer to a tribunal because of unlawful deduction of wages - I won.

In defence of the case, the employer made some false allegations of gross misconduct. The ET judge dismissed these as not pertinent (the case was about the employer stealing and not about me). These false allegations are not mentioned in the written ET judgement.

I am now worried that if I provide the name of the employer, to the uni', so they can verify I have the relevant work experience, the employer will repeat the false allegations to the uni' or just infer I was a bad employee (I was not actually).

The employer is a small business with no HR dept. Other people were affected by the unlawful deductions but I was the only one who pursued it through a tribunal.

What is the best way to give my uni' application the best chances of being accepted, without this interfering?

I'd imagine there's some record of the tribunal somewhere. I'd note it on the application and offer additional referrees (clients/coworkers/etc)

As a mature student, I doubt they are going to dig into your employment history to that extent and haul you over the coals for stuff that's nothing to do with you taking their course.

As from Feb 2017 all Tribunal Case history is available online to the general public, so even if they do come across your case, it's none of their business if you are a good, bad or indifferent employee. But you are a paying customer

Try searching for your case online because you can see the judgement for your Case and evidence. You may find it's a factual account only relevant to your specific claim, so anything irrelevant to the case in hand isn't mentioned and has been edited out.

I'd give them details of your employment dates and role title/s at the company, but say that you do not give them permission to contact the company as you have now left.

If they need specific information about your experience, they'll have to get it from you.

Thanks for all the comments.

Cat, I have a copy of the judgement and all the court papers including the false allegations and my responses discrediting each one.

I had an additional thought at the w/e; if any of the false allegations had actually been true, then I could have been reported to my professional governing body for misconduct. I would have faced a tribunal of my own and possibly been struck off the register. The employer did not report me as s/he knew it was all lies. The employer risked a defamation case if repeating these lies damaged my professional reputation. I can see now that the same still applies in any future situation.

I was getting myself in a terrible state

You could speak to the admissions tutor about it. Having had to take your previous employer to a tribunal because they stole from you is a perfectly good reason why you wouldn't want them to be used as an employment reference.

Daisy, interesting about the online cases, I was not aware of that. Just looked for mine and it is not there. Changes nothing though. I have all the info'.

Cheers

Milady, thanks, I will do that today.

update: I have spoken to an admissions worker (not tutor, no academics available).

The advice was to send an explanatory email to the uni' including the UCAS ref, after the UCAS app' is made.

Gosh sounds like a terrible situation to have had to confront. I'm pleased for you that you defended yourself successfully to clear your name.

I'm not sure of the timing of the Govtposting the Tribunal outcomes onto that website as it's very new. If you've searched and cannot locate your case, that's to the good, if it means your Uni can't find the detail.

If you have to say anything, I'd give them the briefest of information as possible, to keep it confidential. No point giving any more than is needed to get you enrolled onto the course.

Try not to worry.

Daisy: not sure I 'cleared my name'. The case was not about me, the judge did not consider the false allegations, only things relating to unlawful deduction of wages because that was what the case was about.

I am more than happy for the uni' to see the judgement as it sets out the reasons I won.

I have decided to say as little as possible to the uni' and see how it goes.