Previous employer dragging feet over reference!

happymummy

I've been offered a job, everything is in place they're desperate for me to start and I'm desperate to get started, only thing holding me back is they've not received the reference from my previous employer - they sent for it on the 20th of september, thats almost 2 months ago!

What can I do? They say they have to have it, I provided them with 2 employer referees and they've got one back but it was from an older job, they say they have to have the one from my latest employer before they can start me, any other reference wont do.

I went to the premises on friday and was told it'd be done asap, this morning my new employer was on the phone chasing me to chase it so I phoned and they said phone back this afternoon, I dont know if that means its gonna be done or not. I dont want to be a nuisance and keep pestering them to do it but what else can I do? why cant I just offer to get them a reference from elsewhere?

Any ideas where I stand with this?

denla

happymummy wrote: »

I've been offered a job, everything is in place they're desperate for me to start and I'm desperate to get started, only thing holding me back is they've not received the reference from my previous employer - they sent for it on the 20th of september, thats almost 2 months ago!

What can I do? They say they have to have it, I provided them with 2 employer referees and they've got one back but it was from an older job, they say they have to have the one from my latest employer before they can start me, any other reference wont do.

I went to the premises on friday and was told it'd be done asap, this morning my new employer was on the phone chasing me to chase it so I phoned and they said phone back this afternoon, I dont know if that means its gonna be done or not. I dont want to be a nuisance and keep pestering them to do it but what else can I do? why cant I just offer to get them a reference from elsewhere?

Any ideas where I stand with this?

The employer can refuse to provide a reference, or take forever giving one because they're busy carrying out daily business duties. Think they're playing the take forever to reply card, hoping you lose the job opportunity. Maybe the employer simply forgot to reply? Maybe employer hasn't received a request for a reference from the new employer?

happymummy

I asked permission before naming him as a referee so he could've said no then if he was going to, I dont work there anymore so they have no reason to try and prevent me starting a new job.

I totally get that he's busy, its a busy time of year for them but its a standard form he just needs to fill in, would probably only take 5 minutes.

But what happens if he doesnt do it if they're saying they have to have it, I just dont get to start work. I'm so frustrated!

denla

How long has it been? Not unreasonable for him to take 2-3 weeks to reply if he's really busy.

Might also be a ploy to get you to work your notice and work harder. If he said no you won't be getting a reference, I doubt you'd work hard during your notice to leave, and heck you might even not work the notice.

Uncertain

happymummy wrote: »

What can I do?

Little more than you have already done I'm afraid. You cannot force them and if you pester too much it could be counterproductive.

why cant I just offer to get them a reference from elsewhere?

You can but it is up the the new employer if this is acceptable. All you can do is explain the circumstances and hope they agree.

But what happens if he doesnt do it if they're saying they have to have it, I just dont get to start work. I'm so frustrated!

It is extremely annoying but there is no means of forcing them to comply.

happymummy

denla wrote: »

How long has it been? Not unreasonable for him to take 2-3 weeks to reply if he's really busy.

Might also be a ploy to get you to work your notice and work harder. If he said no you won't be getting a reference, I doubt you'd work hard during your notice to leave, and heck you might even not work the notice.

The reference was requested on the 20th september - almost 2 months ago!

I dont work there so no notice period to work through or incentive to work harder required.

Uncertain

happymummy wrote: »

The reference was requested on the 20th september - almost 2 months ago!

If it has been this long and you have reminded them a couple of times I think you have to assume they are not going to do it.

A final option may be to see if the new employer would phone this person rather than wait for a written response. You have little to lose.

happymummy

I did suggest that when they called me this morning but apparently they're not allowed to do that.

denla

happymummy wrote: »

I did suggest that when they called me this morning but apparently they're not allowed to do that.

Get the reference form printed out, talk to the manager in person and try to get it completed there and then. That will force the manager to either give you a reference or admit he has no intention to help you.

happymummy

All sorted, start on Monday

denla

happymummy wrote: »

All sorted, start on Monday

What happened? Did you get the reference? Manager gave any reason for the delays? Or did you bypass the reference requirement somehow?