Advice needed please - Interview with police on Tuesday

tizhimi

Thats really interesting, thanks for that. I've never worked properly for anyone full time so not been in this situation. (I'm self employed so any temp jobs I've had when work has been slack (good old january and the recession) so I've never included them on my CV)

(Silly question.... I know this is going to sound daft but in terms of dates worked - would the company say that they employed the OP from XXX 'til present or when she was suspended? Just wondering 'cos I know she said she's still on full pay so I would presume the dates would be whenever the payout check is)

And another silly question.... So in terms of "CRB" checks etc if the OP if found not guilty will this still turn up? (Sorry slightly off the references topic)

cathryn107

tizhimi wrote: »

WI know you can't give a bad reference but you can refuse to give a reference or something along those lines

Actually you can give a bad reference as long as it's accurate, so in Sexyeyes case they could give one saying she'd been dismissed as a result of accusations leading to a loss of trust, I'm afraid. If she did want to reach an agreement, the contents of the reference should be someone to discuss.

tizhimi

I thought you couldn't give a bad reference, legally...? News to me! Well to be honest if she gets her reference and gets out of there she's done well.

sexyeyes83

Thanks for all your comments.

I phoned up a local solicitor and explained the situation over the phone and have got a meeting with him on Monday. Its only going to be 30 minutes, but he said this should be enough time to have a look at everything, point me in the right direction and give me a figure to go back to the ACAS conciliators with.

tizhimi

hey sexyeyes, thanks for the update, stay strong and make sure you write every thing down

Uncertain

tizhimi wrote: »

I thought you couldn't give a bad reference, legally...? News to me! Well to be honest if she gets her reference and gets out of there she's done well.

I don't know where this myth comes from but it keeps cropping up!

You can say anything as long as it is true and not intended to mislead.

What does happen is that quite a few large organisations won't let their staff give a negative reference because they are scared that it may be out of spite and the person has grounds to take action against the firm. They take the easy option as it really doesn't bother them if the person is any good for the next firm or not!

I think this is one of those fears that has grown out of all proportion to the risk - a bit like parents driving their kids 1/4 of a mile to school in case they get molested!

patman99

CRBs only show criminal offences for which you are found guilty. if you are found not guilty, then this won't (or shouldn't) appear. However, if any future employer also does a Scout Assocciation check, then they will report back on not guilty cases involving you. But they won't list the alleged offences, just tell the employer that they need to be carefull of employing you.

I know this is correct as I asked myself what CRB checks involve when I did one as a Scout Leader.

Savvy_Sue

patman99 wrote: »

CRBs only show criminal offences for which you are found guilty. if you are found not guilty, then this won't (or shouldn't) appear. However, if any future employer also does a Scout Assocciation check, then they will report back on not guilty cases involving you. But they won't list the alleged offences, just tell the employer that they need to be carefull of employing you.

I know this is correct as I asked myself what CRB checks involve when I did one as a Scout Leader.

Not quite correct - the Scout Association carries out Enhanced checks, as does any organisation recruiting staff or volunteers to work with vulnerable adults or children.

Not all organisations carry out Enhanced checks, but if the OP works in care again, this may come up. Being honest up front is the best policy.

patman99

The Scout Assocciation receives every local and national daily and weekly newspaper printed in the UK. From these, they clip any article involving a court case where the defendant is found 'not guilty'. These clippings are logged on to a computer database, and the article is filled for future referance. So not only do they carry-out enhanced CRB checks, but also internal checks on their own 'not guilty' database. Where a person is flagged-up on this, they issue a 'Known to us' warning.

A lot of companies now pay to run their potential recruits through the Scout Assocciations checking system.

jazabelle

That's pretty awful - so even if you're found not guilty, you are still flagged as a potential criminal? What's the point of going to court if everyone is going to condemn you anyway.