References and Recruitment Agencies

ginger

Hi,

This is my first post on this board so I hope someone can help. 2 questions really - firstly my OH was sacked for serious misconduct in June - this is in the process of going to an Employment Tribunal as it was a clear case of unfair dimissal (in our view and his Sols). He has had 3 temporary jobs through recruitment agencies since all of which have ended suddenly "as he was not suitable" - we think his former employer is giving adverse verbal references, as he has also been turned down at a number of job interviews when he was clearly suitable for the job. Has anyone had experience of this and can anything be done to stop it? Secondly, has anyone experience of Recruitment Agencies? The local Job Centre merely send OH for interview with an Agency who then promise to get back to him but very rarely do - how on earth do you get a job nowadays?

Thanks.

G

Scarlett1

It might be worthwile your husband ringing the companies he has been turned down by and asking for feedback on the interview, if you suspect that his ex employer has given a bad reference then you need to find this out.

Do you have a Manpower temp agency near you, your husband shouldnt have a problem getting a job through them, I have tempted for various agencies in the past and have had regular jobs (office)

ginger

Thanks S - I will check out Manpower.

The 3 jobs he has had were all through Agencies and they have been unable to give reasons other than he wasn't suitable - as one was for the type of work (production) he has being doing for 20 years, we are sure that there is more to it. We know he is p*****g his ex employer off by going to Tribunal.

I will ask him to go back to his last "proper" interview for feedback.

G

gelato_cat

ginger wrote:

Hi,

This is my first post on this board so I hope someone can help. 2 questions really - firstly my OH was sacked for serious misconduct in June - this is in the process of going to an Employment Tribunal as it was a clear case of unfair dimissal (in our view and his Sols). He has had 3 temporary jobs through recruitment agencies since all of which have ended suddenly "as he was not suitable" - we think his former employer is giving adverse verbal references, as he has also been turned down at a number of job interviews when he was clearly suitable for the job. Has anyone had experience of this and can anything be done to stop it?

Not too sure about this, because if the employer is telling the truth "ie reason for leaving: dismissed due to serious misconduct" then I'm not sure there's a lot you can do about it until the tribunal finds the company guilty. Someone else might know different though.

ginger wrote:

Secondly, has anyone experience of Recruitment Agencies? The local Job Centre merely send OH for interview with an Agency who then promise to get back to him but very rarely do - how on earth do you get a job nowadays?

I've had to deal with a few in my time and unfortunately this is common. They lie to you all the time and there's not a lot you can do apart from treat them like your bank - don't be loyal, keep your eyes open and just go to whoever you think will treat you best at any given time.

Suze

ginger

Thanks Suzey.

Former employer is lying - just a case of proving it. The only way OH can do this is to push it to Tribunal. If he accepts a settlement before then employer will not admit guilt - this is his Sols advice. We have to weigh up the risk to taking what is offer from employer but not having them proved to be the liars that they are, or pushing it to Tribunal and risk a lower settlement!!

Know what you mean about Agencies - OH has registered with about 12 now and just keeps ringing them all on a rotating basis. It seems that the Job Centre does very little nowadays in the way of trying to get you a job.

G

gelato_cat

Hi Ginger

I understand what you're saying, but as it stands now, the company has dismissed him and until such time as they are proved wrong, that's what it says on his HR record so they're not lying - yet - unfortunately. This will change if and when the tribunal finds in your husband's favour.

What field of work is he in?

Suze

ginger wrote:

Thanks Suzey.

Former employer is lying - just a case of proving it. The only way OH can do this is to push it to Tribunal. If he accepts a settlement before then employer will not admit guilt - this is his Sols advice. We have to weigh up the risk to taking what is offer from employer but not having them proved to be the liars that they are, or pushing it to Tribunal and risk a lower settlement!!

Know what you mean about Agencies - OH has registered with about 12 now and just keeps ringing them all on a rotating basis. It seems that the Job Centre does very little nowadays in the way of trying to get you a job.

G

ginger

Thanks Suzey.

He's in electronics manufacturing but has also just undergone a Fork lift truck course. He's always been open and honest about why he was dimissed to all agencies and at interviews, and explains that it is going to an employment tribunal. He has got a generic reference from the old employer saying that he worked there etc etc and has personal references. They seem to accept this at face value, but we are now wondering if prospective employers are getting in touch with former employer and if so, what they are being told verbally - problem is that one of his old bosses made no secret of not liking him. Either that or prospective employers see him as a trouble maker for taking his old place to tribunal. We are thinking that we may have to get a friend to ring up pretending to be a prospective employer and see what they are told.

G

gelato_cat

I'd be tempted to do the same, to be honest (get my mate to ring up).

You may also be right about prospective employers being put off by the tribunal.

When is the tribunal by the way? Just wondering how long this will be an issue for... in the meantime, I spose the interviews are good practice

Suze

ginger wrote:

Thanks Suzey.

He's in electronics manufacturing but has also just undergone a Fork lift truck course. He's always been open and honest about why he was dimissed to all agencies and at interviews, and explains that it is going to an employment tribunal. He has got a generic reference from the old employer saying that he worked there etc etc and has personal references. They seem to accept this at face value, but we are now wondering if prospective employers are getting in touch with former employer and if so, what they are being told verbally - problem is that one of his old bosses made no secret of not liking him. Either that or prospective employers see him as a trouble maker for taking his old place to tribunal. We are thinking that we may have to get a friend to ring up pretending to be a prospective employer and see what they are told.

G

Savvy_Sue

If there was a manager who DID like him, then it's always worth asking if they'd be prepared to be a referee, and giving that name to agencies / prospective employers. And stress that that's the person to ask, not anyone else!

ginger

Thanks for both replies. Will do as suggested. I appreciate your time spent on this.

G

oldnick

Very little you can do. Your OH old bosses don't need to be giving a bad reference. All they need to say is that they would prefer not to give a reference. Equally damning but not a thing you can do about it.

If he mentions that he is going to a tribunal it will put employers off. I won at a tribunal and discovered I was still unemployable.

Your ex may need to think of a career change. I ended up selling double glazing on commission only because I couldn't find a job.

Turned out it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Most of my colleagues were forced into it as well, and they certainly weren't born salespeople. The level of training you will get in any of the big companies is tremendous, and direct salespeople are in such demand you can move anywhere, pick up the phone and have a job in days.

Always remember when a door closes another always opens, you may just have to look for it.