References

Zazen999

But the employee [line manager] doesn't work there any more [made redundant] so can give a reference as long as it goes to their home address.

I think I've got hold of the right end of the stick....

50Twuncle

Here's the email that *** sent out:

All *** employees past and present may obtain an employment or financial reference. External contractors must obtain references from their agency.

Introduction:
Referencing is the responsibility of HR Operations, and not to be done by an employee's leader. An employee, potential employer, or Financial Institution can request a reference. This reference request must be in writing.

HR Operations complete all references to ensure the Data Protection Act is adhered to and to maintain a standard format for all responses.

Due to the Data Protection Act, no information is to be given out over the telephone. If a person has left *** a financial reference is not provided. If a person has accepted the offer but not yet started, a reference cannot be provided.

Process:
All requests should be submitted in writing to the HR Reference mailbox. All requests should include the employees staff number.

What concerns me is How a potential employer is going to see this - when what they requested is 2 work references from former employers - are they not going to say "Lets forget this person and pick someone more straightforwards" ?

Vader123

boxer691 wrote: »

You can ask your prevous boss for a reference and he has to give you one. If your potential new employer writes he should be given one as well. If he refuses nto do so you should take it to Employment Tribunal

Such bad advice and completely incorrect.

Lets just be clear about references, as its posted a lot here.

1. There is no legal requirement for a past or current employer to provide a reference.

Its good practice to, but an employer can refuse. An ET is not applicable grievance route, plus its time barred.

To the OP, you can approach the boss if you want to, but he can refuse or refer you to the route which the employer prefers.

Vader

System

21Twinkle.

I see nothing wrong with that email. It is exactly the same as my employer. It ensures that all references are consistent and give the same information. It also removes the danger of false and subjective information being given (especially if your line manager didn't like you)

anamenottaken

Vader123 wrote: »

1. There is no legal requirement for a past or current employer to provide a reference.

Whilst generally true, the OP may (from the wording of the email) have worked for a regulated financial institution who are required to provide references.

However the apparent refusal to give a reference "If a person has left *** a financial reference is not provided. If a person has accepted the offer but not yet started, a reference cannot be provided." seems a bit odd - that they will only provide a reference for their current and not former employees. (However, I assume that it is only the financial reference (not employment reference) which is not given for a former employee. The part about "accepted the offer but not yet started" could, I suppose refer to someone not yet having started with the company being asked for a reference.)

50Twuncle

Thanks for your advice - I didn't work for a Financial Insitution - I worked for an "Outsourcing Company" - ie One that thought that it could run certain systems better than the previous one that I worked for - but couldn't run a "drinking session in a drinking establishment" - had dramatically overestimated the workforce necessary and proceeded to reduce numbers of employees !!

terra_ferma

It's fairly standard in my line of work that all references go via HR, and in some cases they refuse to provide much information at all.

This puzzles me though: If a person has accepted the offer but not yet started, a reference cannot be provided.

The whole point of a reference is for prospective employers to get information about applicants before they start the new job....

50Twuncle

OK - I have emailed the HR address provided - no response
I have also requested that my ex-boss has tried - again nothing - telling me that he will provide a "personal reference" if required - this is NOT adequate - what most employers require is a "work reference"
What is the next step ?
ACAS ?

Andy_L

Phone/write/visit rather than just rely on an email

50Twuncle

HR are located about 300 miles away from me
And as for writing - I have no contact address either
My previous employers have been amalgamated with a US based giant - so I don't even know if the department exists any more....