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Original poster

DD18 got fired

192 replies

ElChapo · 17/04/2025 20:12

So DD didn’t do very well at her GCSE’s. Got a couple at grade 4 one being maths but essentially didn’t get English despite taking it twice. After applying for around 200 jobs she got a position in what is effectively a call centre. Not cold calling but answering calls for a breakdown company. It was quite a distance from
where we live and the travel really got her down and started being late. Just before she’d complete 6 months there they called her in and fired her on the spot so is now jobless. My question is does she have to be completely honest with a prospective new employer that she got fired and if so is there a way to word it that doesn’t come across so badly?

OP posts:
CommonAsMucklowe · 19/04/2025 21:00

Tell her to get a job at Tesco if she can, they don't ask for or give references.

Ferrit6 · 19/04/2025 21:40

Bjorkdidit · 18/04/2025 09:02

She needs to realise that timekeeping is important in many jobs and you need to stop minimising it as 'only 10 mins or so'.

If she's supposed to be logged in and ready to work by a certain time period, she needs to do whatever is necessary to achieve that, should she manage to get another job in that industry.

She can give a reason for leaving the job as travel difficulties but a reference is never going to be that complementary when she persistently failed to meet one of the main expectations of call centre work - being ready to start work on time.

references are very simple and have been for years - basically acknowledging you worked at an employer - companies do not risk being drawn into litigation if they write negative statements that can be later challenged …

ItTook9Years · 19/04/2025 21:54

Ferrit6 · 19/04/2025 21:40

references are very simple and have been for years - basically acknowledging you worked at an employer - companies do not risk being drawn into litigation if they write negative statements that can be later challenged …

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Untrue. (HR Director.)

Dogsbreath7 · 19/04/2025 22:01

I believe local 6th form colleges educate up to 19. Would she be better focussing on getting a vocational certificate than keep looking for dad end jobs? They will insist she retakes English and maybe maths again.

Has she no interest at in a ‘career’? Vocational training would be a step up.

mathanxiety · 19/04/2025 22:38

I think she needs to be honest that she worked there, and to be brave and put the company on her CV. She can say her transport failed her and an earlier bus (or whatever) wasn't an option.

You need to assess whether she lacks organisation skills or motivation or is down/ depressed and inclined to self sabotage. Was there ever any hint of dyslexia or executive function problems up to now? How did she manage to fail English twice?

Is there any area of work that she'd like to do? Hair/ beauty? Childcare/ nursery? Hospitality? Are there any courses that might be open to her? Could she try for the English exam again?

pollymere · 19/04/2025 23:08

Do consider trying again on the English Language side of things as it will make a difference. Or get Functional Skills.

Ownedbykitties · 20/04/2025 00:22

HelenWheels · 18/04/2025 10:06

some of us really struggle with time keeping, myself included!

Same!

Bjorkdidit · 20/04/2025 04:59

Ferrit6 · 19/04/2025 21:40

references are very simple and have been for years - basically acknowledging you worked at an employer - companies do not risk being drawn into litigation if they write negative statements that can be later challenged …

Show quote history

It sounds like the lateness was factual and presumably can be backed up by login times or similar.

Plus prospective employers will be wise to what a reference doesn't say, ie if someone reliably turned up on time it would probably be mentioned in the reference.

Alip1965 · 20/04/2025 08:21

10 mins a day adds up time wise. Check her contract and see what it says. Also look or call acas they will advise.

LlynTegid · 20/04/2025 08:30

Ownedbykitties · 20/04/2025 00:22

Same!

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Though both of you recognise it as an issue and don't think as the OP does.

RandomUserName96 · 20/04/2025 11:56

ElChapo · 18/04/2025 08:57

No, no warnings but as she’d not been there for long they can just get rid for any reason can’t they? she was probably late every day in the last month or so by 10 mins or so

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No warnings, really?

She's been absent around 1hr per week, regularly, and not once has anyone raise it with her?

As someone who has worked in and around contact centres at various levels for a fair while, I find this unlikely.

She can tell any future employer they weren't kept on after probation, she doesn't have to say why. She can say she wasn't told. But a recent reference request I received specifically asked about punctuality and time keeping, I'd have to score your daughter a 1 or, 2 at most, if it was for her

RampantIvy · 20/04/2025 13:00

RandomUserName96 · 20/04/2025 11:56

No warnings, really?

She's been absent around 1hr per week, regularly, and not once has anyone raise it with her?

As someone who has worked in and around contact centres at various levels for a fair while, I find this unlikely.

She can tell any future employer they weren't kept on after probation, she doesn't have to say why. She can say she wasn't told. But a recent reference request I received specifically asked about punctuality and time keeping, I'd have to score your daughter a 1 or, 2 at most, if it was for her

Show quote history

I agree. I think the OP's DD has been a little less honest about this. I'm pretty sure she will have had a warning about timekeeping.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 20/04/2025 13:31

My nephew lost his job over timekeeping, and occasional days off, and it was an extremely good lesson. He did get another job and is a model employee. A lesson from the real world can be more useful and heard than anything a parent says, sometimes.

Santina · 20/04/2025 23:42

The tough life lesson of the world of work, she needs to be 10 minutes early, not late. This is exactly why schools don't tolerate lateness, it's about preparing them for work. Even if she is a minute late, she is stil late. Time for her to start taking going to work seriously.

jellyfishperiwinkle · 21/04/2025 06:43

Well, school is preparing them for a certain type of job. I start my work any time between 7am and 9.30am most days and mostly it's up to me.

I can understand them firing her for lateness though I'm sorry that it's down to poor public transport links. Perhaps she will do better in a job that is easier to get to.

We dropped off and picked up DD1 in her first PT job at 16 and paid for driving lessons, then she drove herself after she passed her test. Cars and driving lessons are expensive though and many young people don't have parents who can provide this, and public transport in many places is shockingly bad.

LillyPJ · 21/04/2025 06:54

Being late 10 minutes or so nearly every day is terrible and completely unacceptable in some jobs (teaching, bus driver, pilot...) However she gets her next job, she really needs to show that she can reliably be on time.

AliBaliBee1234 · 21/04/2025 07:13

My employer and many others will now only confirm the role and employment dates as a reference.

I would email HR and ask what their reference policy is and if that's the case then she can say it was a temporary position. Experience is important on a CV.

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