Reference from a co that went into administration

[Hatemylife2023]

Hi,

What do you do when a company you worked for in quite recent past, has gone into administration? (I left just before hearing about the administration)

Do you still submit details for a reference check as you knew them and write them as if I didn't know the company had gone under?

An ex. colleague come friend who stayed until the bitter end has insisted it's not possible to get a reference. I really fortunately haven't had to think about it until now.

Also, from the latest job interview/offer it did not bring up about sickness or medical problems in interview like my other experiences, but am I best trying to bring it up in advance at pre check offer stage? there is a health form but it does just suggest you only need declare if it impacts your job role, whereas already returning to current work as I have done and if I can work from home in future, on what is not a 9-5 I really can't say it would affect the work I'm doing or I'd need to be attending future medical appointments ever on the employers time; (being offered a night job) hoping this makes sense.

I was going to hand in my notice tomorrow, but think I'd better hold off.

do you have a good relationship with your ex manager? I would reach out to them directly

Thank you, the Manager very sadly got dismissed unbelievably for conduct before the administration came out so I'm not sure what their mindset would be as much as I can still trace them (administration was itself in the media and checking the company website now it goes to the new purchaser who only brought stock and the name if I remember, not the staff part (sure I could put it more eloquently) I've got pay slips and could prove it through HMRC but from other things I'm seeing from the potential employer, they don't seem to like evidence in this way unfortunately.

For gaps of unemployment instead of requesting Universal Credit proof even, they want at least 2 character references for each and every event who are professionals, who can explain my whereabouts.

As far as the reference goes, all you can do is tell them that you worked at XX and they no longer exist, and offer an alternative reference if they want one.

Questions about your medical history or sickness should only ever be asked when an offer is made - not before. As a rule, if they don't ask don't tell them UNLESS you have a disability (and it kind of sounds like you may have). If it is a disability or long term condition that may become a disability, I would advise to err on the side of declaring it and stating that it doesn't impact on your employment. The reason for that is because if it did start to impact at a later stage, the employer can't claim that they didn't know. But that is up to you - you don't have to, or you could declare it at a later stage. Just be aware that if you say nothing, then you get no reasonable adjustments if you need them.

What I am slightly concerned about (and I don't fully understand what you are saying here) is the comment about working from home and not 9-5. If you are attending medical appointments so regularly, are you fit to work nights? Even working from home they can be very draining and disruptive to life patterns.

Your former line manager can give you a reference. It obviously won’t be on ‘company headed’ paper and they will no longer have your employee file so you will probably have to remind them of your dates of employment especially if they weren’t there for the whole duration of your employment.

Thank you for the help, sorry I am confusing/confused as I am going through this current year it feels with a lot of unknowns. I may have a secondary problem but it could also just turn out as linked to the slow degeneration spinal cord injury I like to err on the side things might get better but I do fully understand about declaring the health situation and would want to do so, as going to look at also renewing my insurance this afternoon for a few weeks time, has made me think I've a bigger problem and do need to declare to DVLA and have a chat with my current employer about what might happen in the future in any event they've already said I have to return to the work place full-time soon and there is no way round this. I'd been through occupational health in my current role after surgery which helped put in place a phased return. I personally do not want to give up some form of work.

Going to need to think about this new job a bit more, as one group of people I haven't thought about until now is my neighbours in a block of flats doing night work. Many thanks for answering today. I really appreciate all the advice.

Update.

Well this turned on its head, a reference request made and I kind of found out exactly who I’ve been working for.

Better of out of the current workplace, whatever happens. That much is very clear now.

I’m looking on the bright side, no awkward resignation convo! Can’t believe it least I got to see who I was working for with under a years service; poor delivery driver of my Mum’s area 17 faithful years under belt where (custom wasn’t working weekends) of excellent service, threatened to be out of job as won’t do Saturdays. Wow if that’s how 17 years is treated, there’s no hope.

Please let there be better employers out there for us 🙏