No HR to give me reference- help

[mallowmamma]

I'm so unbelievably gutted I could cry. I have just been offered a job (pending references etc) that i was really keen on getting but on the form they have asked me to fill in about my previous employer HR details and you could not make it up! My previous two employers have gone bust and no longer exist so I am unable to give details. My current job is a wee silly small family business ( not my family) and they don't have a HR dept either, they just get advice when needed. I can't believe it! It completely looks like I have something to hide by not providing these things. I'm in such a tizz

It doesn't look like you have something to hide, at all, just tell them the truth and offer alternative contacts.

Explain no HR department at current job and to address it to owner then Explain last 2 companies gone bust but here are details for a personal reference

It's an online form from a third party specifically looking these things, I'm really getting myself worked up and yet I know it's not my fault 🤦‍♀️

Make contact directly with your former manager. Try LinkedIn if you don't have contact details. Ask them to provide references even if in a personal capacity.

I had something similar. One company left the UK, the other was swallowed up by another company.

Ask them what they would accept instead.

Are you in contact with any ex manager/colleagues? It does not have to be hr.

Don't panic you should be fine , I usually ask for references from HR to but only because they can accurately give start and end dates of employment, disciplinary or awards correct rate of pay and other such info
I always ask for for their line manager or supervisors reference as well as this person knows the potential candidate better than HR generally.

So in your case be upfront with your potential employer explain the situation and if you can, if you still have a contact details ask if one of your old managers aak them if they would be willing to give you a reference.
In unusual circumstances I also rely on personal references only , but this would be only the person has been unemployed for a long time

Thanks all for your advice. I feel calmer now. I left my previous employer in not very good terms- nothing happened but we just didn't get along so I really don't want to make contact with him.

Everything is worse when it's something so precious at risk.

Please don't worry about references, I got myself in a right two and eight when I fudged working somewhere for a week longer than I should have. (embarrassing story when I needed to go to a dentists appointment and my (ex) employer didn't agree, so it was goodbye and I, in addition didn't know they were going under at the time) I filled in the forms at the time for new employer with all the info they requested on who to approach and sat back somewhat very embarrassed but got over it.

No one at new employer, ever spoke to me about it. I started exactly when they wanted me to start without messing around. I was fearing all sorts on starting new job that I'd be escorted off the premises etc but it was a waste of energy.
I should have been more worried about the new starter form I'd managed to fill in incorrectly!!

I went on to get another job where I could tell the 'truth' but they haven't been the slightest bit interested in references.

Big companies are concerned about GDPR and collecting more info than what is needed.