Safer Recruitment Policies

[Pleasebeavailable]

I'm going back into the paid workplace after raising, and caring for, my (now adult) children, who have additional needs.

I'm being asked for my whole employment history, and to explain any gaps. The employers apparently need the exact dates, months & years, due to these policies. I'm really struggling with this as I left school over 30 years ago, and although there's nothing dodgy in my history, I just don't have this information and I'm concerned it actually looks like I'm trying to hide something.

Is there any way I could get these precise details or is there another way that a potential employer could check my past? I have contacted HMRC and they say they can't help me.

That seems quite extreme. Maybe explain to them that you don’t have exact dates but can estimate them?

I've mentioned that to them, and I do understand why they need to be careful, but it feels so unfair that someone is expected to know these precise details. I'm wondering if all employers will now want this, then I'm really going to struggle.

I've actually been offered one of the jobs, but once this came up I've had to tell them I can't take it. They never said there would be another way.

I don’t think all employers will want it. I’ve had a difficult year career wise and made a lot of changes and none of the applications I’ve filled have wanted precise details and I think it’s more of a formality rather than them checking all of the details are correct.

I've just started a new role, they wanted my face / a level certificates. I'm 45, haven't seen them for years. Had to contact my old school who said all records are destroyed after 12 years, they left it after that.

You could get a record of your national insurance contributions

Employers in education, health and social care are often fairly rigid in following safer recruitment practices. If CQC for example audit an employee file, they would question gaps in employment.

Can you cross reference dates against bank records. Using your wage payments or benefit payments

I had to do a similar application form and just added a note on anything I was slightly unsure about. If I could remember the month then I just wrote that I wasn't sure on the exact date etc. it was better than making things up.

Maybe I just need to give up the idea of working in the industry I was hoping to get in. It's all I've known for almost 2 decades and the people who interviewed me apparently thought my personal experiences outweighed anything I'd learn at college.

I'm glad you were able to get the outcome you wanted. I'm in a similar position regarding certificates too - It could just be this particular industry is like this, but it's just so frustrating, and it doesn't help when it's the only barrier I have.

Oh really? I will contact HMRC again. So far, they've said they only have access to the previous 5 years.

You can get certificates from the exam boards, I had to do this for a previous job.

What exact dates is it that you are unable to provide? Most things ask for month and year for start and end of jobs, but if they want day I always just put 1st month,

Yes, I'm experiencing that right now. I do understand why they need it, but it's such a barrier for people like me. I guess I was hoping their thorough checks would prove I'm just a boring middle-aged woman who wants to go back to work. It's been suggested that I just need to do volunteering for 6 months or so, but that still won't fix the issue of needing those other details.

I don't have banking/wage records dating back between 18 & 30+ years and don't use the same bank. Any gaps that may be there, were never filled with claiming benefits either.

I think I'll have to do this in future, and hope it's accepted, as there's no way I'm willing to make dates up. Although, if the employer thoroughly checks my history anyway, then won't they see if/when these gaps were?

A couple of years back, a friend was applying for jobs in education and one wanted him to account for time between finishing a summer job and going back to uni - he'd been on holiday for 3 weeks. It was in 1991. It did seem a little extreme. He couldn't actually prove it, though (well, he might have had some undated photos somewhere.) Others schools were not as pernickety as that.

I've had to supply certificates (GCSE and degrees) in recent years, when I was in my late 40s. I would advise people to keep all certificates and employment dates. Not that this is helpful if you don't have them now.

Thanks for suggesting this, as I didn't even realise it was possible. It may be worth me trying to find out who the exam boards were and order copies - do you know if this is for just School related certificates or would any College certificates be able to be requested?

I don't remember the date & month I started/left a couple of my previous jobs, and when I say previous jobs, I mean from the first couple of years after leaving school. Also, there was a point when I was pregnant but went on to lose the baby. I started to do agency temporary work for a little while as we were trying for another baby but I didn't want to start a permanent job only to leave to go on maternity. There could be a gap around that time, but again, I just don't know precise dates.

I actually had to request a new copy of my degree certificate at one point, so I imagine college would be possible too.

I think as others say you just put as close as you can remember. I've not seen this level of history checking in any of the industries I have worked in. How would they even find out if you are unable to with HMRC etc.

I don't understand how they would check these details? Are you applying for jobs with MI5?

Normal practice for safer recruitment in education ... they are just following what the government says they must do. Don't worry unduly about it.

Did your friend have to just guess or was he unable to take that particular application further?

I totally agree with you. I had everything (precise dates & all certificates) with my record of achievement, but they must have been lost in a house move that coincides with the last time I'd been interviewed and worked. Everything gone! I've turned the house upside down in the last few months. I'm absolutely gutted.

I'll definitely get onto this, thank you.

I know! It seems madness to me, but then again, it's been so long that I just assumed everyone was going to be like this now.

Haha, thanks for making me smile - I can confirm that it's not working with MI5. I've presumed it's because I'd be working with children & young people with SEND/additional needs.

Yes, I really do understand why they need to do it. I just don't know if I should step away if every job like this will need this level of information or whether I should keep applying and do as you suggest, and not worry unduly (which is what I'm currently doing).

If you've actually been offered a job, I wouldn't let this particular issue stop you taking it. Surely you write down information to the best of your knowledge, and talk it through with your potential manager and/or HR or whoever is involved, and work out what is actually needed for their records.

A little different, but I took on a short term paediatric job nearly 2 years ago trying to see if I could resurrect a career I dropped 18 years back. The consultant involved was fully aware of my background, and that after substantial gaps I'd been self employed for several years. So I could only offer personal / character references, no employment references at all, let alone clinical ones. At some point I had to chase up how long the paperwork was taking, and it turned out HR were still "waiting for clinical references" despite it being clear that they wouldn't exist. The consultant had to get back to them and insist that they were happy to employ me without them and to please get on with the next steps.

(before you ask, yes the job worked out and was a real confidence boost, but I've had trouble getting another part-time position that would combine with my self-employed work and have nearly accepted that I won't do any more medicine)

I really hope things work out for you.

Did your friend have to just guess or was he unable to take that particular application further?

He knew the dates, he just couldn't prove he was on holiday rather than just lounging around at home - or in prison (apart from he has no criminal record.) However, he was offered another, better job around that time, so withdrew that application.

It depends on the employer. Some will be happy to accept carer for family or travelling.

Are you able to ask for specifics from the organisations you wish to apply to?