Bad reference from previous employer

essex_jim_2

Hi all, looking for some advice urgently please.

I recently applied for a new job in a very large company and got it so handed in my resignation at the firm I've worked in for the past 6 and a half years. I was happy enough in my role but felt I wanted to progress and they couldn't offer me that. The job is very IT specialist and I have gained all the experience for this new role in the company I've just left.

I knew I would recieve various checks before employment commences in just under 2 weeks, 1 of which was a credit check, I'm on a DMP so I told the agency to inform the HR department and they didn't think it would be an issue at all. So far, all good.

However, I recieved a very worried voicemail last night around 4:30 from the agency who found me the job telling me to call immediately due to something that's come up on my checks.

I think it must be about the job I had before my last. I was in the role for 2 years and left 7 years ago. It was for a bank and I left whilst under suspension. I was a cashier and occaisonally would get differences in my till (as did many other cashiers) if this happened you had to stay and try to find the cash, either through recounting cash or going through all your credits and debits throughout the day and see where potential errors may have laid.

I must admit I wasn't the best of cashiers and would often have to stay late until a difference was found, one day I simply had to be somewhere straight after work and had a massive difference of a grand. I panicked as I couldn't find it straight away and changed the figures round to balance and would try to find it the next day. I couldn't find it and subsequently had to tell my boss. They suspended me on the basis that I concealed the difference.

I was only 20 and it was my first proper job and I panicked. They dragged out the suspension period and following some (probably bad) advice I panicked and quit. Before I quit the money was actually found, turned out a local business had come in that day to deposit several thousand pounds and had filled in their paying in slip incorrectly and I stupidly didn't pick up on it. The boss of that business went through his books and could see the difference so returned the cash to the bank.

But the bank, whilst knowing now I wasn't a thief still felt I was worthy of suspension due to gross misconduct of concealing the difference. I quit and that was that. I started a new job at the firm I've been at for the past 6 and a half years using a reference from a colleague of the bank who was a friend.

This new job is a huge company and would use proper reference agencies so I knew I couldn't put down my friend again as a reference. I didn't actually know for certain that the bank would put anything on my reference about me leaving under suspension and thought I'd take the risk, seeing as the job was 7 years ago I thought they'd only be interested in my most current role (of which my reference would be brilliant).

I still don't know exactly what they found until I speak to the agency Monday morning, but it must be the bank reference. It's my last day Monday aswell and I am absolutely in bits. I just wish I'd never gone for a new job now. I can't have my old job back as they have a replacement already.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Should I completely confess everything? What if they ask why I didn't put this on my application?

Thanks in advance

KiKi

Don't panic, first of all. You can't do anything until Monday. If the reference says you left under a suspension, then you really are going to have to admit it and explain. But your explanation may suffice, that may be enough to reassure them. Explain you were 20, it was your first job, you panicked, and they may need to make some extra checks.

Ask to see the reference. An employer can say what they like in a reference, as long as it's factual.

As for why you didn't put this on your application, you didn't need to...unless it was specifically asked about and you lied. In which case you can do nothing but apologise and do your best to explain.

For all you know, they may simply be wanting to check a date, or a name or something. You cannot change anything, or do anything about it. So please try to not panic (easier said than done, I know) before Monday.

KiKi

Torry_Quine

This is why you should never resign until all the checks such as references have been made and you have an unconditional offer and an actual start date.

That said I think at this stage you have to be honest and apologise. References usually do say why you left and leaving while under suspension isn't good but at least the money did turn up so hopefully your ex-employer will be able to confirm that.

Hope you get it all sorted.

essex_jim_2

Thankyou both, yes Torry I wish I had now. This new role wanted me in quickly and I handed in my notice straight away. Feel so stupid now.

It was the tone of the guy from the agency that really worried me, maybe I'm just over paranoid but he genuinely sounded gutted and not exactly hopeful with his words. I would hate to think that a silly mistake from so long ago would impact future jobs, especially when I've done so well in my last job.

sapphireeye

As far as I'm aware, having worked in HR for a year in the past, the employer is not allowed to supply misleading information but they can supply the facts regarding what happened. A lot of big companies (and I would imagine a bank would count as this) usually don't have the time to provide a long detailed reference and it is the HR department providing the reference who do not know you personally so in my experience they are usually quite short. However, the employer would be allowed to state that you resigned pending investigation/disciplinary (and may include details that it was for gross misconduct as this is treated very seriously by most employers) because they would probably consider that important for a future employer to know. They may go into more detail but it is unlikely due to confidentiality issues. I know where I used to work we just included a standard line which was something like 'Resigned pending disciplinary'. Sometimes you can agree with your employer when you're resigning to not have it mentioned on future references but obviously you didn't agree to this with your employer so they could include that information as it's factual and not subjective.

However, I wouldn't panic about it until you've spoken to the agency. If it is that then I would try to explain calmly what happened and suffer the consequences if you have to. It is really up to how the employer looks upon it and if you don't get the job I would suggest using a different reference in future.

SarEl

I am afraid I have to differ. Which does not mean panic - but by God you need to straighten this out. Banks usually provide detailed references including the facts about the circumstances you left in - because most of their roles are proscribed by law and so they must. And IT companies usually ask for detailed references because of access to sceure sustems and/ or clients. So the big question has been asked - what did you give for the reason you left this employment? You are quite correct - resigning was the stupidest thing to do, but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing? You need to speak to the agency - but you have one day left before you do. So cough up any lies or misleading informatiuon you put down on the application here. The worst you can get called here is b***y daft. But we also may be able to help you slant the conversation and make it work better for you. The worst they can do is refuse you the job. So you have nothing to loose.

essex_jim_2

With regards the application and what I put for the bank role it did ask the question and I simply put career change. Probably not a smart move at all. I'm so gutted, just wished I'd stayed where I was.

SarEl

Ok - going with the "b***y daft! But what you have to do now is find out what they say and if it is, which it probably is, what you fear - tell the damned truth. This is a really hard way to learn a lesson, and I hope that you may be believed and given the chance to prove yourself. But you need to understand what you are up against - they know you are a liar. Sorry, that's blunt - but it is where they are sitting. You have everything to prove now.

essex_jim_2

No, that's fine. I need some cold hard honesty as freinds I've spoken to have just told me I'll be fine etc.. but I need some good advice.

I think the one hope I've got is the job I've done for the last 6 years is all relevant to the new role, the bank role wasn't. I'm just hoping they see that, with an explanation, it was a long time ago and I've certainly changed and progressed since. I can't help with what I wrote on the application but in theory I wasn't sacked and actually asked to leave. I was under suspension, and whilst I know what you're saying I did leave of my own accord.

I also know that they are desperate to get someone in, they wanted me in within 2 weeks and I said I have to give a months notice. I know I maybe clutching at straws as it's a big firm and they would probably have the resource to cover, but they will have to go through the whole recruiting process again and I'm hoping that as it's now so close to the start date they'll take the risk, once I'm in I can really prove myself.

SarEl

essex_jim wrote: »

No, that's fine. I need some cold hard honesty as freinds I've spoken to have just told me I'll be fine etc.. but I need some good advice.

I think the one hope I've got is the job I've done for the last 6 years is all relevant to the new role, the bank role wasn't. I'm just hoping they see that, with an explanation, it was a long time ago and I've certainly changed and progressed since. I can't help with what I wrote on the application but in theory I wasn't sacked and actually asked to leave. I was under suspension, and whilst I know what you're saying I did leave of my own accord.

yes - but you left suspended! For goodness sake - that's an admission of guilt to any potential employer! You are playing semantics - don't do that with them. Explain all you have said here but with a heavy influence on young and stpuid and didn't think. Trying to come up with a reasoned explanation won't work - guilty people do the same thing. The bank have probably told the exact and bare truth. And that will not look good. You need to change their impression and excuses won't cut it, even if they are good ones. Responsibility and owning the fault as yours may. And good luck.

essex_jim_2

Ok, will be totally honest as you say. Thanks, it is appreciated. Although I'm not sure about admission of guilt, as I confirmed I wasn't accused of theft, I wasn't following procedure and I didn't dispute the allegation. I felt under immense pressure in the job and during suspension, I probably should never have resigned.

Will update here Monday night!