Worried about references / rights - in job less than 6 months

Elbie_2

Hi all,

It's me again! I was very grateful for your advice a couple of months ago. I found it very supportive

I thought it might be helpful to hear how my situation has developed... it might be similar to other situations people are going through.

Well... I have pretty much decided that I will leave after six months - regardless of reference issues. I feel better having made the decision. It's only 10 weeks away and hopefully I can survive until then!

It's frustrating because at the end of my second month, I was actually feeling more positive - my review went well and my manager was very complimentary towards me, said they could see me going in a senior direction, etc.

However, six weeks later, very little has emerged to back any of it up. I am still just grinding out work at a very menial level and there is no indication of any kind of development plan. I have minimal contact with management so don't get much chance to prove what I can do.

I also thought this would be a client-facing role... and nearly four months in, I'm yet to meet a single client! I have dealt with a few by email, though - with excellent results. It's a shame they don't appear to have noticed (or at least not told me, anyway).

The company claims it likes people who push themselves forward... but I really feel there should be effort on both sides. It's clear to me that I'm simply filling a gap where a load of scummy work needs to be churned out and they have no particular plan for employee development or happiness.

Really, life is just too short and too valuable to wait for a miserable situation like this to get better. I could wait years and still be doing the same awful tasks. A girl from my team who is very ambitious has been here over a year and was recently promoted - but is still expected to do some work that's far below her skill level. It's such a waste.

So... I had a bit of a meltdown earlier this week, but now I've resolved to move on, I feel better. I just want to do six months and leave amicably because then at least it'll count for something.

Is anyone else in this kind of situation?

KiKi

Hi again, OP. Well done for sticking it out.

What I would say, though, is that if you are determined that 6 months is your 'limit', then start looking for jobs *now*! Otherwise, you'll start looking at six months and may still be in your role another two months or so (dep how your job search goes), and that could really make you unhappy if you were hoping to be free after 6 months.

And if you get a job, you can resign earlier, 5 or 6 months, it doesn't make much difference. Well done for making a decision, though.

KiKi

dandelionclock30

My previous employer will only provide dates, job title,job description and salary and will not answer any questionnaires or enter into any discussion with another employer.Appararently future employers have been wanting more information but have been told it wont happen.This is the policy thats it.
I think a lot of employers realize this now.

pineapple

Pupnik wrote: »

I wouldn't be too worried about the reference- by the time a future emplyer is requesting a reference they should already be pretty keen on you an

Some employers take references before the interview. Others ask at application if you are happy for them to do this or prefer to wait for a job offer.
IMO in the OPs case the second option would be the best choice.

t0rt0ise

Funnily enough I recently did an induction week at work with a woman who had just had a job offer withdrawn because she couldn't get her previous employer to give her a more informative reference. So it does happen.

dandelionclock30

Maybe we need to be asking at the interview then what is the employers reference policy in case we need to make a speedy exit or xxxx up!

smileylondongal

I was in a very similar position to you and in the end decided to resign. I don't regret it as I made a fresh start and I am now re-interviewing after a spell away having my little boy! I didn't have any more to add to the excellent suggestions of those above but just wanted to say good luck as you seem very level-headed and positive.

Elbie_2

Thanks all, once again!

What you have said is very helpful.

I have to admit, I think a lot of my initial panic when I wrote my first post was because I was so, so disappointed in how things had turned out, as I'd had such high hopes. I'd found it hard to admit to myself that I'd made a mistake and was gutted.

But now I've mostly 'got over' being upset and am in survival mode instead!

There's a possibility some employers might not like the 'tombstone reference' policy - but there's nothing I can do about it, so I've realised there's no point in obsessing about it. I think I'd go through a new interview process as normal, then if I'm successful and they request references, I'd supply a copy of my current job's employee handbook conditions as well as the reference details. If they don't like it, they're probably not reasonable people and it's best I don't work for them anyway!

A big part of my worry was pride-related, as I didn't want to change jobs and have to ask previous employers for references again SO SOON... as it's a bit embarassing for me and a bit of a hassle for them. But by the end of six months it will seem less awful... and I suppose it's a necessary evil.

I am casually jobhunting already, just in case. I remember from last time how long it took!

But I don't mind if it does extend past six months... I guess every month is better for my CV. And if it got REALLY unbearable, I'd quit and try to get something temporary/part-time/casual to pay the bills while I hunt.

Hope this is useful for others

DCFC79

no need to give a copy of the handbook, surely employers accept that when they ask for a reference all they could get back is just dates when you started/ended etc.

You dot physically ask the previous employers for a reference as the potential new employer does that.

smileylondongal

Elbie, I agree with the poster above - keep the handbook, by all means, but all you need to give a potential employer is the reference details (ie address phone number and email). Just a tip - before giving them, make sure they're current as, for example, I recently found out my HR team had moved and changed emails which would no doubt have caused delay for my new employer. Best of luck.