New position asked for reference from non named person....BEFORE I had a chance to give notice!!

[Justathinslice]

So applied for and recieved an offer for a job. I'm not unhappy with my old one, but new one is more challenge, more money.
They've taken ages ( a week) to get the contract out. I followed it up yesterday and they emailed it through. Phew, I can give notice before the end of term. Was planning on doing it tomorrow as I am on training today.
BUT new place contacted old place already, and contacted the head teacher rather than my named reference( line manager). He apparently is fuming and I don't blame him.

Is this normal? I'm so upset about this!

PS...I'm not a teacher but do work in education

It's normal to get the reference straightaway. They usually want to know that is all ok before giving you a contract/start date etc. (I can see you have had a contract).

I'm not sure on the ins and outs of contacting someone different. Did they write to the school? Could your line manager have passed it on?

Nope , line manager did not pass it on.

Btw... I mis-typed. They sent me the offer, not the actual contract

I do think your new place should have checked it was ok to approach your old job for references before they actually did so.

Jobs in education (even if not teaching) are subject to very stringent safeguarding rules, one of these is that they must obtain a reference from your previous employer (and whoever you choose to be your reference, your employer is the head). You should always tell your head you are applying for new jobs from the outset, it happens all the time in education and is not considered to be a bad thing to be looking around. It might even lead to your current employer looking to give you more responsibility or a pay rise if they think they might lose you. A bit late to know this now I appreciate, I would go and see head in person, apologise and tell them you hadn’t realised how things worked. Most will be very understanding if you approach in person.

Usually by giving a referee you agree to them being contacted and, in education, this is always prior to the job offer. Sometimes references are available to interviewers. It’s part of the selection process.

I think the Head is being precious. Just pop in to see the PA and explain you didn’t put the Head as referee. Schools write zillions of references and I think you are being strung a tale! Are you really that important? The Head/PA should have referred the request to the line manager anyway or just got on with it if the Head’s office normally write references. It won’t stop you getting the job will it?

You have to contact the Head to determine whether or not the person was subject to any investigations. Your immediate boss may not be aware of your full record.

In education the done thing is to tell your Head you are applying for jobs, as you apply for them.

Why is your HT “fuming”? He should be perfectly used to getting reference requests for people who haven’t resigned yet, it’s perfectly normal in education. Yes of course ideally you should have told him, and new employer should have warned you, but I don’t see why he is “fuming”. You’re allowed to apply for new jobs and leave! It would have made only very minor difference to him if you’d mentioned it in advance, and in that sector it’s very normal.

Hi all
It is the done thing for teachers to let headteachers know if you're applying for another role, but not support staff.
I've never come across this before, and have had a good few jobs!

But what’s he “fuming” about?

Oh, he's probably one of those 'professionally offended' types that thinks staff shouldn't ever dare move elsewhere... 🙄

They had changed my role slightly, I has accepted. THEN this new position came up. I wasnt sure I was going to apply, but I did, and got it.
So.... it was never going to be an easy conversation, and I genuinely feel terrible. I appreciate that he has every right to be angry with me. I've put them in a bad recruiting position , and for him to find out this way is genuinely crap. I totally see his point.
But i still don't think the new place should have contacted the head directly!

I've been thinking about this....

Teaching staff are in a very different position to support staff.
I'm in a role that is always being squeezed, and done away with in lots of circumstances, so I have never let a head teacher know before hand. A line manager, maybe, but not head teacher.

I think it DOES put us in a more vulnerable position.

I do feel crap, and mentally preparing to be shouted at tomorrow....

It is education. basic safeguarding requires a current employer reference before an employment offer is made. The Head would be the correct person- you could just be naming a mate otherwise.

They did the right thing. You must have known this as it is basic KCSIE, current employer references are always taken before a job is offered.

I do feel crap, and mentally preparing to be shouted at tomorrow....

Really?

You are a grown adult. If they infantilise you that much when all you're doing is exercising your right to change your employer, then feel sorry for them for not being able to just "deal with it."

They'll just have to get over themselves.

I categorically would not be allowing someone to shout at me!

I would walk away, and if asked why, I would be blatantly advising when they’ve calmed down they can then speak to me in a professional and courteous manner.

It’s your right to seek another employment, you don’t have to give (morally or legally) notice in advising that your seeking new employment.

Sorry, but even for support staff the correct referee is the Head and I don't know about the "done" thing in your area, but it's part of my contract regarding terms and conditions to allow for succession planning.

If your role has been adjusted (ie the school has done things to keep you - which it sounds like they have) and have based their planning on you being there then I'm not surprised the Head is "fuming". In addition, it's only 1-2 weeks until the end of term. There is NO way that any recruitment will be possible for someone to start in September.

I've been involved with the recruiting process and it can take weeks to get everything correct. Over the summer, I'd doubt any references can be obtained or interviews even completed - so realistically they're going to be short a staff member until October.

blast
Yes, I know recruitment will be tough. The new job really dragged their heels, and were very slow to get the offer letter. I was clear that I wanted to give notice asap so that old job would have time to recruit.
I've worked in education awhile, but never had a new employer contact HT directly. But then I've mostly worked in colleges, or contracted at secondary schools.

I absolutely understand the position they are in, and tried to minimise it- apart from telling them I had applied elsewhere.

Yes it's normal actually to ask for references before interview in education and yes we have to ask for one from the head teacher of your school. A kind manager might not be privy to any disciplinary action.

Did you put on your application form to not ask for references until you said it was ok? To be fair most people if they ask for a delay it's only until they are offered the job. If you were offered it a week ago they will want to get your references in so you can start - also they will know it's the end of term so want to make sure the school have time to complete the references.

Disciplinary action..? Huh?

Oh, hang on.... I understand what you're saying!