ive resigned from work

SarEl

emmaanddave wrote: »

Was it just theft you were tagged for cos that is a bit extreme for a petty theft? I have not known anyone to be tagged for just one offence of theft.

All employers have to give a reference but they will prob just stick to the basic questions asked and give brief answers.

You know, I had wondered about that, because although stealing from an employer for 18 - 24 months isn't exactly "petty", tagging is normally used, in my experience, for crimes where the courts want to make sure where someone is because it's their "travel habits" that get them into trouble - so like burglary or drug dealing. In this case it seems to be that the court knows "where the OP" gets into trouble - at work. And it wasn't likely he'd be back there any time soon since he was dismissed for it. But perhaps there is an explanation.

But your second point isn't ttrue - no employer has to give a reference. They can refuse to give one whenever they wish. The other common myth is that they can't give a bad reference. An employer can choose to give a reference or not, and the only requirement is that if they give one, it is truthful.

TheBottomLine_2

SarEl wrote: »

But unlike you, I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I have no idea why it was a daft and impossible suggestion to say that if you were so convinced, you should let him know what vacancies were going at your workplace. So here's the thing. Our curent "placement" has nine more months on contract with us. If the OP would like to PM me then at the end of that placement I will personally contact his probation officer and make an offer of 12 months work experience, on a fair wage, provided he has stayed out of trouble in the interim.

Wow, that's quite an admirable gesture. Employers like you are helping people like me get back into full time work and I for one thank you for it. I'm hoping to start a six month work placement soon, there'll be no pay but I can keep getting benefits as it's part-time. After nine years of illness and a job here and there I can't wait to get my CV up to date.

Sorry for thread-jacking. Back to it!

SarEl

TheBottomLine wrote: »

Wow, that's quite an admirable gesture. Employers like you are helping people like me get back into full time work and I for one thank you for it. I'm hoping to start a six month work placement soon, there'll be no pay but I can keep getting benefits as it's part-time. After nine years of illness and a job here and there I can't wait to get my CV up to date.

Sorry for thread-jacking. Back to it!

I regret that we can't do more than we do, but we have been doing this for quite a few years now and have convinced others employers we know to do similar things. I don't think any sensible employer can afford to not take some action to invest in the future workforce, whether it's work placements, job experience, apprenticeships or whatever. Because it's inevitable that whilst times are hard now, in a year or two they will be screaming for skilled and experienced workers and there won't be enough to go around, because we will have let people get de-skilled sitting on the dole. I hope your placement goes well and gives you something that will help you back into work. Good luck.

emmaanddave

But your second point isn't ttrue - no employer has to give a reference. They can refuse to give one whenever they wish. The other common myth is that they can't give a bad reference. An employer can choose to give a reference or not, and the only requirement is that if they give one, it is truthful.[/QUOTE]

Oppss ok - I always thought that an employer was obliged to give a reference and they couldn't give a negative one.:embarasse

Haven't read ALL the thread so didn't realise it was for period of 18-24mths. yes, they do usually tag to control where they go at certain times and if they are deemed to be a threat in any way.

The case continues.....:D

SarEl

emmaanddave wrote: »

Oppss ok - I always thought that an employer was obliged to give a reference and they couldn't give a negative one.:embarasse

Haven't read ALL the thread so didn't realise it was for period of 18-24mths. yes, they do usually tag to control where they go at certain times and if they are deemed to be a threat in any way.

The case continues.....:D

It's the most common urban myth I come across - you'd be amazed how many people believe it ! I would love to know where it started. An employer can give a negative reference (if the give one at all) provided it is truthful, as I said. But even that is somewhat stretched in law (and that is leaving aside the fact that pretty much nobody could afford to sue for defamation if it wasn't true). You can state matters of fact - so "John was dismissed for gross misconduct", or "Suzy has been late for work on 99 occasions out of a hundred". Basically, if you can prove it you can say it. But there is also the facility to "pass opinion" - provided that you make it clear that it is opinion, and can defend such opinion as "fair comment". So, "Tony is not a good team worker" is an opinion. There is no conclusive way to prove this point - there may be incidents and so on in his work record that indicate this to be the case, but there is no objective mesaure that would say he scored 2 on a spectrum of 1 -10.

Many employers fear (a rather overated fear, I have to say) being sued so they have opted for the "two horse option" - either a basic and almost meaningless reference, or a refusal to give a reference if they cannot say something positive (which pretty much screams "don't employ them" !) But in some areas of work, basic references aren't acceptable and if a candidate only has a basic reference from their previous or current employer, the potential employer may ask for further references. It's all a matter of what various employers accept as practice. But anyone who has a poor work record for whatever reason, would be foolish to expect it not to be mentioned in some way.

And I shoould also point out that there is also that favourite stand-by option - the telephone call. Not evidenced or proveable, but you'd be amazed how often it is used.

A bit off topic, but worth noting too. I recall years ago working with a certain Law Centre who had an adviser who was looking for another job. He absolutely couldn't get one despite a brilliant, absolutely cracking reference. Because the potential employers thought the reference was too good to be true. The probem was - they were right! The solicitor in charge was giving the person a fantastic reference because he wanted him to leave!

mikee31

Jeez, no wonder a number of people with a chequered past prefer to re-offend!

Prevented from working after doing a good job and then getting slaughtered on a forum when asking for advice as to how they can change and improve themselves.

C'mon, no one needs to know the ins and outs of what the op has done, its just a case of those in the know of giving advice and answering the op's original question, surely?

Best of luck bigmacman, you'll no doubt get a rough ride in life for a while from some people who think their holier than thou, but keep the faith and stay on the straight and narrow my man.

trickytrolleys

trickytrolleys wrote: »

I'll do the 12 month placement Sar-El

I'm going to take your total ignorance of my post as a no - maybe I should get done and get a probation officer ! :rotfl:

SarEl

trickytrolleys wrote: »

I'm going to take your total ignorance of my post as a no - maybe I should get done and get a probation officer ! :rotfl:

Sorry - I wasn't ignoring it, just didn't take it seriously But we are very specific on our criteria - we actually do only take offenders (because it is harder to get them placed elsewhere). But it looks like, in 9 months, we will be looking elsewhere. Surprisingly the OP didn't take up the offer.

viktory

mikee31 wrote: »

Jeez, no wonder a number of people with a chequered past prefer to re-offend!

Prevented from working after doing a good job and then getting slaughtered on a forum when asking for advice as to how they can change and improve themselves.

Here's another one who hasn't read the whole thread. The OP was actually offered a 12 month job offer - which he has failed to accept. That is not, in my opinion, 'getting slaughtered'.

bigmacman

ive not accepted it as i havent been online to see it acturally and i have just pm sarl to find out more about this offer.