What happens to your reference if a company goes into admin/goes bust/taken over?

looby75

I have been out of work for quite sometime now due to personal circumstances but I'm currently actively job seeking.

My last employer was GAME and as I'm sure everyone knows they have recently gone into administration. I'm just wondering what happens if they do go bust, I presume thats it I won't be able to put them on my CV/applications as a valid reference anymore. But what happens if they are bought out by another company will they keep HR records and give references when requested?

If I can't get a reference from them I'm in big trouble as my job before that was a cleaner in a pub and I can't get a reference there anymore as the pub has changed hands many times since I worked there, so no way of contacting my former boss

Anyone been in a similar situation?

Googlewhacker

There is no obligation to a reference in the first place, ultimately if the company goes bust then there is no reference. If it goes into administration then I would suspect if they HR will give references then you are ok but if it goes to a new buyer then they could say no references to anyone who left before they took over (or not).

Ultimately the only definite is that if it goes bust....no reference.

looby75

Thanks, pretty much what I thought then

kitschkitty

I had this issue as several of the companies I worked for changed management completely, went bust, or didn't keep records as they were very small organisations.

looby75

Has it caused you many problems kitch?

whitewing

It would be worth keeping payslips as that would be one way of confirming that you had worked for them for a period of time. Then it may just be a judgement call for the interviewer as to whether they believed why you left.

You could get a character reference off someone perhaps, particularly if you have done voluntary work. Alternatively your GAME manager may be able to supply a personal reference. They can write that it is a personal reference and that you worked with them at GAME etc.

looby75

whitewing wrote: »

It would be worth keeping payslips as that would be one way of confirming that you had worked for them for a period of time. Then it may just be a judgement call for the interviewer as to whether they believed why you left.

You could get a character reference off someone perhaps, particularly if you have done voluntary work. Alternatively your GAME manager may be able to supply a personal reference. They can write that it is a personal reference and that you worked with them at GAME etc.

I do have some pay slips (I had to leave after my ex husband left as I had young children and no childcare, this was 8 years ago) The manager that was there when I left is long gone so there would be no way to contact him.

I'm trying to get some volunteer work but you can't even give your time away at the moment round here. I did used to volunteer at my sons school so I suppose I could ask either the head or one of the teachers I worked with for a personal reference. Thanks for the suggestion

kitschkitty

As it was a while back, I've luckily been able to fill my CV with other stuff, and in past interviews it's not been a problem, but I have worried who I would give as referees these days if I needed to.

DVardysShadow

whitewing wrote: »

It would be worth keeping payslips as that would be one way of confirming that you had worked for them for a period of time. Then it may just be a judgement call for the interviewer as to whether they believed why you left.

You could get a character reference off someone perhaps, particularly if you have done voluntary work. Alternatively your GAME manager may be able to supply a personal reference. They can write that it is a personal reference and that you worked with them at GAME etc.

And keep a dated press cutting or 2 relating to them going into administration with the payslips, plus any correspondence relating to termination from the administrators.

This should be enough to convince any interviewer that you held down a job and did not leave through any fault of your own.

LadyMissA

looby75 wrote: »

I have been out of work for quite sometime now due to personal circumstances but I'm currently actively job seeking.

My last employer was GAME and as I'm sure everyone knows they have recently gone into administration. I'm just wondering what happens if they do go bust, I presume thats it I won't be able to put them on my CV/applications as a valid reference anymore. But what happens if they are bought out by another company will they keep HR records and give references when requested?

If I can't get a reference from them I'm in big trouble as my job before that was a cleaner in a pub and I can't get a reference there anymore as the pub has changed hands many times since I worked there, so no way of contacting my former boss

Anyone been in a similar situation?

I would contact them now to see if they can write a standard reference which will normally just confirm you worked there, the dates, job title and reason for leaving.

They should be able to send a few copies to you and one on email.

I got this from my last company to include with my applications last year in case they went bust and to support my applications (as I am sure many do not believe people are made redundant).

Elvisia

I worked for the BBC who although are still going (only just) every single person I have worked for has now either left or been made redundant. The last person just left a month ago. So although HR can provide me with a reference I have been asked for personal character references, so I kept in touch with some of the people I worked for, and they are providing written references. Are there any bods at GAME you can keep the email address of, in case you need it in the future?