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Original poster

if you were an prospective employer - what would you think of this reason for being sacked from your previous job.............

59 replies

FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:02

"I hadn't transferred my TV Licence to my new address"

(4 days after moving into the house and they were away on business with work for 2 1/2 days of that) should add a "must" for the job they were sacked from was owning a TV licence if they had a TV.......

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 28/01/2009 22:09

I don't think I'd believe it. Sounds very unlikely that a company would sack someone for that alone.

Would the previous employer confirm that was the reason for sacking?

I'm not an emplyer though....

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:10

yes they would confirm it

OP posts:
ditzzy · 28/01/2009 22:13

But even the TV licence people allow you two weeks to notify after you move! (or is it ten days? definitely longer than 4 days )

I would think if it came up in the interview, the new employer could have a right laugh at the old one.

trixymalixy · 28/01/2009 22:14

Eh?

BennyAndJoon · 28/01/2009 22:15

I would wonder why that was a "must" for the job

Would it be obvious from the employer?

BennyAndJoon · 28/01/2009 22:15
maretta · 28/01/2009 22:18

How long had they had the job?
Don't think you could legally sack someone for that.

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:18

yes honestly this has really really happened,

And employee of the TV Licence people has been sacked because he hadn't transferred his TV licence to his new address.

Before anyone starts working for them they do a check on their TV Licence and if you haven't got one when you should you won't get the job.

similarly if you're found without a licence when employed by them you get hauled up for Gross Misconduct.

In this instance the employee moved on the Saturday afternoon, attended a family function on the Sunday morning then dashed down to London to attend meetings for work mid-afternoon . He came back late Tuesday afternoon and got his TV and computer set-up.

The following day a TVL Enforcement officer knocked on his door (address had been empty for ages so had no licence still valid at it).

He was then hauled up for Gross Misconduct for not having a TV Licence (but he did - he simply hadn't transferred it yet) and now a week later has been sacked!

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 28/01/2009 22:20

and yet a Scottish chief constable got done with speeding and remained in his post

funny old world

maretta · 28/01/2009 22:21

If it was me, I would get legal advice.

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:25

maretta - he would but if he appleas it's going to cost and arm and leg for him to drive up and down to Manchester for the appeal meetings etc.

He's decided to screw them and move on.

Just wondered how future potential employers would view the fact that he'd been sacked, and the reason for it.

OP posts:
Technofairy · 28/01/2009 22:43

It all depends. The previous employer may just say in a reference that he was dismissed for 'gross misconduct' but what any prospective employer does with that info is up to them. They may not even give him the option of explaining the circumstances before perhaps withdrawing a job offer.

I would wonder that if that were true why on earth he hadn't taken it further. Surely if he had a licence at his previous address it should demonstrate that he was not in the habit of not having one? I simply could not let that lie. Based on the info in your post the employers have been very heavy handed and there should be strong grounds for appeal. I personally would appeal but he needs to weigh up the pros and cons of forking out to travel to the meetings and the chances of this blighting his employment opportunities for a while.

KatyMac · 28/01/2009 22:44

I thought the license went with the person so if he had one at a previous address he would have been covered

trixymalixy · 28/01/2009 22:46

I couldn't let it lie either. It sounds ridiculous,extremely unfair.

I mean he had a TV Licence FGS he just hadn't changed the address on it yet. he should have been given the same amount of time as anyone else to change it.

I think potential future employees will see gross misconduct and not give him the chance to explain. he should definitely pursue an appeal.

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:50

That's the problem, he can't afford to be spending time and money travelling to meetings. Especially as he's been using a company car - which is being picked up tomorrow, so would involve trains and overnight stays.

He found out today that he's been sacked and starts his job hunting tomorrow (thankfully Thursday is the day that the job supplement is published in the local paper).

They have been heavy handed and I'm bloody furious for him, he's taking it all in his stride and saying basically "You know if they're going to be that petty I'm better off elsewhere" (oh to have that level of composure in his position now,.........and especially in the current economic climate).

OP posts:
saladsucks · 28/01/2009 22:53

If he was employed by them for less than a week I would be tempted not to include the job on his CV. As an employer I would find it a bit strange and would put me off interviewing him.

callalilies · 28/01/2009 22:56

But he will struggle getting another job at all with 'sacked for gross misconduct' on his reference from previous employer. Surely worth begging or borrowing to get to appeal if by doing so he might avoid losing job in the first place and jeopardising chances of getting another one?

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 22:57

it does with move you, but you have to ring up/go online to transfer it to your new address.

It's stupid, he's worked for the TVL since 2005, firstly as sales officer (knocking on doors) where he was consistently one of the best "performing" sales officers. Then took a 10k pay cut to work in the TVL training department as he was strongly encouraged to go for the post (by his boss(es)). It offered more in terms of future job prospects so he took it. And walked into the middle of "office wars" - where the person that was expected to get the job didn't and everyone was rather put out by it (oops)

He also worked for the parent company of TVL for several years a couple of years ago, where again he had an good work record.

I think tbh part of the reason he's not going to pursue it is because he's already under financial stress (just been signed off work for 2 weeks as of yesterday ) and so he's not really "up" to it as well as not being able to afford it.

OP posts:
Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 23:01

hopefully he will be able to get a reference from his old boss (old as in the "boss" from his sales officer position that he left in Sept/October time) who also thinks the whole thing is rather a farce.

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 23:04

Why does the appeal hearing have to be in Manchester? And surely it would only involve one meeting, so it is not a matter of going backwards and forwards.

Sorry but if he didn't go to appeal on something like this then I (as a prospective employer) wouldn't touch him with a bargepole. When stories don't add up there is usually more to it - as seems to be the case if he is signed off etc.

Aimsmum · 28/01/2009 23:04

Message withdrawn

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 23:08

the appeal has to be in Manchester as that's where the office is (he works from home) and where his meeting to discuss the "incident" was held.

He's been signed off because he really is suffering from stress, it's not made up tbh I'm glad he's finally gone to the Drs about it.

The work situation tbh is the least of his worries at the moment, but don't exactly help with the stress he's already under.

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 23:14

But that is the point too FAQ. If he is too ill to go to a meeting to keep his job, then he isn't go to make the top of a shortlist for a new employer anytime soon.

Original poster
FAQtothefuture · 28/01/2009 23:15

so basically he's screwed isn't he

He can't afford to appeal
No-one will want to employ him

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 23:18

He could ask to see if his employer would reimburse his travel costs to the appeal. As they would usually pay for his travel costs (given he has a car), then that should be possible?

Otherwise, yes he is screwed. Doubly over as he will probably be sanctioned by the DWP and not be able to claim JSA.

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