Employment reference

[NeverWithoutThemAll]

Hi,

I need to provide an earnings and employment reference.

The thing is, I have been made redundant but I am still working my notice for the next 3 weeks.

So I am a bit reluctant to ask for a reference.

Am I within my rights to still ask for a reference that will state exactly the fact that I am currently employed by the company, and have been paid what I've been paid for the last 6 months?

I wouldn't specify I am employed on a permanent basis. But just that I am currently employed.

My sister disagrees and says they will never do it, but my argument is simply the fact that I say "currently employed" at this moment in time, full stop.

Which, I still am, for the next 3 weeks.

There is no shame in being made redundant. It's a company decision to eliminate your role. It's no reflection on you.

It could actually play against you to mask your redundancy if you do so by deliberately omitting to state the accurate situation, especially as your final day of working is so close.

The normal process is that you give consent to the new employer to approach your current employer for a reference, you don't "provide" one, their HR Dept sorts it out.

Just tell them you consent to contacting [current HR dept] and leave the rest to them.

You won't get the reference yourself, you'll need to provide contact details for them to get in touch with your employer - otherwise far too easy for people to fake their own references.

If it’s one you need to say you are currently employed, does that mean it’s for a mortgage or similar?

If so, have you actually been asked to provide it yourself?

@flowery

If it’s one you need to say you are currently employed, does that mean it’s for a mortgage or similar?

If so, have you actually been asked to provide it yourself?

Ah that's a really good point, I'd assumed it was for employment but you're probably right. If it's something like a flat rental agreement that you need and can 100% afford I'd speak with your manager and ask if they can help you out with something that is basic and factually correct about current employment.

If it's something like a mortgage or debt you're likely to end up in trouble unless you have a massive savings buffer, surely?

If it is for a mortgage, then think carefully about affordability. A Mortgage company may withdraw an offer, unless you can prove how you will continue to service the debt, through savings, or the prospect of a new job for example by producing an Offer of Employment letter. They would then calculate affordability on the basis of the new salary.

It is important to be accurate in the information you provide.