HELP! - dont know what we are going to do

Anthillmob

i havent spoken to anyone today. i tried before i left the house this morning and left messages with my mobile number on but, suprisingly (lol), no one has returned my calls.

however mr mobs nan and grandad is lending us £500 which is nice of them. im going to ring and speak to the manager of housing (who used to be our neighbourhood manager tomorrow as shes very nice and not an !!!! like our current NM.). we dont have a court order to pay which is a good thing thus far.

Savvy_Sue

Anthillmob wrote:

we dont have a court order to pay which is a good thing thus far.

That is good ... try to pay something, write and explain WHY you're not paying as much as usual, keep copies etc etc etc. I'm sure you know the drill from your own work! :rotfl:

It's likely that when your account shows as arrears not reducing, your HO or equivalent will be in touch, very possibly threatening court. But if you can show that you've written to explain why, and that this is a short-term blip, you're in a much stronger position than if you just don't pay ...

To Peter, one of the links Fleago provided showed what would be acceptable to prove identity. And you're right, there is a distinction between primary and secondary documents. But no, an employer cannot insist on primary documents like passports and driving licences. However, if a primary document is shown, to me it makes sense that it has to be VALID. Employers (and banks) get into ruts of expecting what they're used to seeing. I remember getting VERY cross when a travel agent said I needed a passport for ID, and when I looked at the large sign in front of my nose it said passport or driving licence! And probably a few other things as well.

It does sound as if one of Mr Ant's problems is the name change. But I don't know that you HAVE to do it by deed poll - Bossyboots would know for sure! My understanding is that you can call yourself anything you like, as long as it's not for fraudulent purposes. A deed poll makes it easier to 'prove' the change if you're an adult when it happens.

But I know someone whose mother told him on the eve of his wedding that he could not get married, because what he thought was his surname was not: his birth certificate was in a different name. The vicar disagreed: the banns had been read in the name he used, he was known by that name, no problem. I don't know if this person has ever had to produce his birth certificate as ID, but I'm not aware of any other problem he's had with ID.

I wonder if an affidavit, witnessed by a magistrate, would do the trick? I believe - dredging up old memories here - that a solicitor would charge for this, but magistrates don't? Is Bossyboots out there? Or some other knowledgeable person?

peter999

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Employers (and banks) get into ruts of expecting what they're used to seeing. I remember getting VERY cross when a travel agent said I needed a passport for ID, and when I looked at the large sign in front of my nose it said passport or driving licence! And probably a few other things as well.

I agree.

In general when dealing with officialdom, it's easiest to provide what they want & expect to see (within reason), so it causes as few problems for yourself as possible.

Get in, get it done quickly & get out.

I think banks/government have sorted out a proper policy on ID documents they accept.

I think maybe problems are creeping in other situations where smaller organisations/companies like employers/recruitment agencies are now having to confirm ID & don't have a proper policy, just insisting on Passport by default.

peter999

Anthillmob

hes off to the passport office tomorrow to get one fast tracked.

i spoke to acas and the home office who agree that his company are being harsh but still they wont budge. mr mob informed me earlier that his manager and area manager are as livid as me. the people who own his company are a french company and thus enjoy being complete @rses when it comes to documentation (his words not mine)

ive spoken to my creditors. all are very understanding. my credit card is maxed out and ive been paying minimum payments but not solving anything, guy i spoke to today has temporarily stopped late payment and over limit fees for me.

spoke to the manager of housing regards our rent. she was sympathetic, especially as i pointed out we do want to pay the rent but cannot afford the full whack. she said pay what we can. later this afternoon my housing officer called (i really dislike the guy) and i went through it all again with him and he said 'ill give you the benefit of the doubt'. yeah like im making all this up!

so the pressure has eased a little. im still furious but at least know i can hold off creditors for a month or so etc.

thanks for all your help and advice.

Savvy_Sue

Anthillmob wrote:

i spoke to acas and the home office who agree that his company are being harsh but still they wont budge. mr mob informed me earlier that his manager and area manager are as livid as me. the people who own his company are a french company and thus enjoy being complete @rses when it comes to documentation (his words not mine)

Ah yes, there is of course the French way of doing things ... and the wrong way of doing things! :rotfl: (I have friends who live in France and find that any attempt to do things other than 'by the book' are met with frank incomprehension!)

Glad there's an end in sight ...

Anthillmob

quick update- mr mobs firm have now agreed to pay for his passport and so he is going up there tomorrow to get the fast track in 1 day passport.

a sign of guilt from them perhaps as they really shouldnt be employing him if they are insiting he prooves his british nationality.

pavlovs_dog

nice to know there's been some good news in all of this :grouphug:

peter999

Anthillmob wrote:

quick update- mr mobs firm have now agreed to pay for his passport and so he is going up there tomorrow to get the fast track in 1 day passport.

I always thought a Passport was for travelling abroad.
Maybe he can fit in a jolly day trip abroad somewhere. :beer:

peter999

Anthillmob

well passport sorted oput now, even after a phoe call to here from the passport office asking me to get in touch with him as they coudlnt because he was showing his teeth in ther photo!

i saw the pic and you could just see the tip of one front tooth.

while he waited the 4 hours or so for the one day process he went sight seeing and took loads of pics including this one



has anyonegot a geiger counter?