A close shave!

rthornton01

After being made BR in August of this year all had been going well until today.

Basically i decided to switch jobs after becoming disheartened with my old job and realised it was making me feel unhappy etc, So on the 18th of this month i started my new job after going through all the interview stages (which took around three weeks). Anyway i am now two weeks into my four week training and i was pulled to one side today and told that my credit check had (obviously) come back showing the BR and as it was against company policy to allow staff to work there with CCJ's and BR's i had to leave immediately.

This was very distressing as you can imagine, not only had i gone through all the interview process and passed i had also given two excellent references.

Surely having been given my contract the week before i started i should have been in the clear?

Anyway i pleaded my case and said i wasnt aware i would be credit checked, my manager went away and tried to see if there was anyway around this situation seen as i had already started working there and i had explained my BR fully to them.

When she came back there was good news, as the company already have one or two other people working there that have had financial difficulties i was saved!

I felt utter relief but also the feeling like i wasnt supposed to be there and now i am worrying about it, what if they change their mind? I feel like i cant relax as she has asked me to email her a copy of my explanation over the weekend. I am hoping this is just for my records and not so more decisions to be made.

Anyway she has said my job is safe so i should believe her, i just cant help feeling this should have been sorted before i started, or better yet not even be an issue! this is not a financial institution and i will not be dealing with cash or have anything to do with money.

wharty

Try not to worry. They have said your job is safe.

Did they have anything on the application form about credit checks or anything on the advertisement for the job?

Check your terms of employment or the company handbook, it should tell you about credit checks. If it isn't written in the contract you signed, the job advertisement or the application form you filled out then you have nothing to worry about.

If not, and they decided to sack you, then i imagine you would be able to take them to court for unfair dismissal.

At the end of the day it has been flagged up and you have discussed the issue with the company. They have said your job is safe.

Now enjoy your weekend!!

TheGardener

Hi - this seems very unjust. Assuming the job is not in a role where it is legally unacceptable for you to be BR - more details here http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/freedomofinformation/technical/TechnicalManual/Ch25-36/Chapter25/part2/part_2.htm

If you applied for and accepted the post in good faith then I suspect they cannot 'sack you' . At any point during the application, interview or selection process did they make any reference to their "company policy" on CCJ and BR or tell you that you would be credit checked? If not - I suspect they might be on thin ice legally.

Asking you to provide an explanation by email (not a secure data storage method) also seems a little strange - and something of a personal intrusion! - who would have access to this 'explanation' ? - its very personal data. I can see no reason why you should be asked to do this.

You are clearly keen to keep the job and not make any waves but don't let them hold this against you - they appear to be in error for not making their 'company policy' clear to prospective employees. You have not done anything wrong as far as I can see.:)

JCS1

An employer can dismiss you within the first 2 years without having to even give a reason, you cannot take to tribunal until after the 2 year point (there are exceptions such as race discrimination, etc).

TheGardener

Hi - This might well be more about a contract law and breach of data protection than employment law...I'm sure the OP is keen to carry on working for this company and is aware of standard employment rights with regards to constructive dismissal. However, there is always more than one way to skin the proverbial cat..
If nothing else, then the company would be made aware of the omission so they can improve their recruitment process and save themselves a lot of wasted time and money by ensuring people who do not meet their 'company policy' don't apply.
Giving new employees contracts before they have completed any background checks is also rather poor management practice.