What will happen if I cannot supply this reference ??

[IllegallyBrunette]

I applied for a job within the NHS in August. I had an interview in the middle of September and was ofered the job the next day.

I have been mainly a sahm for the last 10 years and so really struggled for references. In the end I put down a friend as a character reference and then my most recent employer which was Nov 05-Feb 06.

Recruitment have now got everything back except for my reference from most recent employer. They chased it up and spoke to the person i'd named who said she wasn't happy to write the ref as she couldn't remember me .

I actually spoke to her myself and she still couldn't remember me although did say that this probably indicated that I was a good worker as it was only the troublemakers that she usually remembered.
Tbh I didn't see what difference it made wether she remembered me as surely me emplyment details were still on file with them somewhere, and would show that I wasn't ever disciplined or anything and the fact that they asked me to stay on after my temp period.
Anyway, this referee then decides to pass the ref request on to a guy who I actually worked my shifts with at the time I worked there, and who has now been promoted.

He agreed to write the ref and said he was posting it last Monday.

Recruitment still don't have it and will not let me start my job or even do the classroom based induction until they get it.

What happens if I end up not getting an eployment based reference at all ?? I have already offered another character ref which was refused.

Thanks

Mashedup - My lone parent advisor said I have to see him before I start as there are forms he needs me to fill in. He also needs to arrange to speak to someone on my first day so that I will qualify for the in work credit thing of £40 a week.
I also rang my local housing office and they said I need to ring back for an appointment when I know whats what LOL.

I am sure it will all sot it's self out eventually but it is so nerve wracking.

My mum has already said that she doesn't mind helping me out with money whilst I wait for tax credits. Thats really good of her, but i'd rather not have to ask her if at all possible.

My old job held onto my reference for weeks as they knew that I couldnt leave and start a new job without it. Arseholes.

aw sorry to hear you're having a crap time getting all this sorted
however it will all sort itself out
the benfits people will have to fit around you
I would keep nagging for a start date and I wouldn't ask them to put it back once they give it to you just in case they find some way of taking back their job offer.
Have you got the job offer in writing?

Drop your pride and accept your mum's offer if you need to illegally. You know you'll be able to pay it back as soon as the tax credits come in.

Plenty of people much older than us expect far more from their parents and never intend to pay it back, dont beat yourself up about it at all.

You would help your kids out too in the same position and not think any less of them at all? You'd be proud of them for trying to secure their future I expect.

Dont let anything get in your way now, you're better than that

Right, I have an update. They ring me today to say that me ref is back but that the earliest start date they could give is 15 Dec which was my worst nightmare tbh.

I asked if there was absolutly no way it could be earlier and explained why (ie tax credits etc) and she said they had nothing earlier but that if i'd prefer a nnew year start date then she didn't see that being a problem but would need to check.

I said new year would be better than 2 weeks before xmas, but only if they were absolutly fine with it.

So, she has gone off to check with someone to see if I can start in the new year and I am sat here waiting feeling quite sick.

Why doesn't the phone ring when I want it to lol.

She has probably gone to lunch

Shall IN ring her back, or will that piss her off ?

I am going to fetch the kids in a mo, although she does have my mobile number.

Argh, I am still non the wiser.

I rang back yesterday and they said they had emailed the person who needs to authorise it and they were waiting for a reply. Why they can't ering them I don't know.

She said she'd ring me back today, but as yet nothing.

Apparently the girl dealing with me has already recieved a complaint from a new starter as she cocked up all of her paperwork.

I rang them again and surprise surprise, they still don't know.