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Original poster

Domestics anyone??

13 replies

calebsmum · 29/05/2007 14:39

Anyone else working as a domestic?? I currently work 4 days a week 5.30pm-8.30pm. The pay and job aren't great but at least it's something. Really want a better job, I went to college and University but only want to work evenings so I can look after my son. Did get offered a library evening job but my previous (bitch) boss gave me a bad reference and they withdrew the offer (i've never seen the ref)

Oh well will keep looking I guess, just don't want to do this job for too long (nearly 2 yrs now)

OP posts:

luciemule · 30/05/2007 08:38

So are you meaning that you want a different evening job but not sure what to do?
How about waitressing? Or do you mean you want something to reflect your studying/more academic side?

luciemule · 30/05/2007 08:39

Depending on what you did at college/uni, couldn't you do private tutoring? That's good money and you could do it from home and use your skills?

Rubyslippers · 30/05/2007 08:51

i didn't think someone could give a "bad" reference. I would check it out with your local CAB. I think the "worst" someone could say is that you were employed by them between x month and x month. I am not an expert but had to look into this whilst being made redudant ...

agree with LM re tutoring as it offers flexibility or something like proof reading/typing ...

elasticbandstand · 30/05/2007 08:51

care assistant, shelf stacker

they withdrew the offer why didnt they at least give you a trial. That happened to a friend of mine, bad reference..

BetsyBoop · 30/05/2007 13:44

your ex boss must give you a true and fair reference. If she has not done so, you may have grounds to sue her.

These days most employers will keep a reference totally factual, eg worked for us for x years and had y days of sick in the past 12 months. They will generally steer clear of expressing opinion or anything that can't be backed up by facts. (eg if they had been through a disiplinary process for misconduct they would have the evidence of this, but if they just suspected misconduct but couldn't prove it then they would be foolish to mention it.)

Your former employer isn't legally obliged to give you a copy of the reference (even under the DPA) but you could try getting a copy from the library HR.

Of course your former employer could have given you a fine written reference & put the bullet in verbally, in which case there is very little you can do about it.....

elasticbandstand · 30/05/2007 13:51

what did you do pre children?
can't you do that? or somethign like that

finefatmama · 30/05/2007 14:00

if you live in london, you could enquire about london underground. I used to work 3.15pm to 7.15pm but now have my 20 hour week changed to 10hrs saturday and 10hrs sunday. a couple of others work 9-5 sat/sun.

Original poster

calebsmum · 30/05/2007 15:53

Am in Derby, but previous employer gave me a bad written reference and also phoned to give me a bad verbal reference. The people who offered me the job said it was the worst reference they'd ever had . Looked at doing something about it as she bullied me when I worked for her and then would only let me return to a full time job, wouldn't even discuss part-time work. Would need a solicitor and no way could I afford one. Tried to get a copy of the reference but HR told me they needed to get written permission from my ex boss to release it but if she refused nothing could be done.

OP posts:

Rubyslippers · 30/05/2007 16:01

calebsmum - go to CAB! It sounds like your previous employer acted illegally ... CAB is free and they can really help you. I used them when I was being made redundant and they were excellent

luciemule · 30/05/2007 20:12

calebsmum - sounds really dodgy of your old boss. You're entitled to change your hours once you return to work after a baby I'm sure - she can't do that to you. Definitely go to CAB.

luciemule · 30/05/2007 20:19

DH just innformed me that anyone (due to the Freedom of Information Act) is allowed to request to see anything which is written about them so you should either go back to HR and demand they give you the reference or go to the other company who said it was the worst one they'd had and ask them to give you it.
Plus CAB for advice.

finefatmama · 02/06/2007 00:34

friend of mine had that with M&S and when her solicitor contacted them, they immediately tried to change the reference and offered 25k compensation. I think you can't give a bad reference without proper evidence.

Original poster

calebsmum · 02/06/2007 21:12

Hi, it's all within the same company aka the NHS! My evil boss has since been promoted which is annoying, think i'll speak to the CAB and see what they say, is there a time limit as this was about a year ago.

OP posts:

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