Slow references - NHS employment

skifox

Hi everyone,

I was offered a job which would give me a good start to my career in the NHS in December, I had been looking for this type of work since I finished my uni course in June and so was pretty excited that I got the job.

It has taken over 3 months to get my references sorted, mainly the one from my old employer. (My University tutor was also slow and I had to ask them several times to submit). I have emailed them directly and spoken to the company's head office where all references are dealt with. Apparently no such reference had been passed through head office when I inquired in February, but was told if I got the NHS HR to submit another request they would prioritise it. I emailed to ask the woman handling my employment request to do this, but she didn't reply so am not sure if she did it or not.

I have had two of my references submitted already, and asked the HR woman if that would be enough and was told she needed to speak with her manager about it. That was a week ago and no follow up.
I emailed her this week asking if there had been any progress, trying to find out if she had submitted the second reference request to my old employer and if she had spoken with her manager, but no reply.

It's been three months, I am currently unemployed, it had taken me 6 months to get this job and I'm worried they might turn around and say that my references are responding so they can't continue with my employment (the contract I have signed is conditional of submission of references).

Has anyone else been through this, I feel like the HR woman isn't giving my job a lot of attention; I spoke with one of my friends who works in the NHS and she was shocked I'm having to chase down my referees like this. Will they decide it's taking too long and just give up on me?

the_bottler

If emails aren't working for you, pick up the phone.




When I was going through the motions for financial sector yes I was expected to assist when my references were not being received quick enough, I also had to go through a DBS check so found the process pressurised and when I was needed to start work it was next day with no leeway considering the weeks put in getting through the checks.
Take heart - never heard of anyone being given up on all because of references x

Undervalued

It is very frustrating and all you can do is gently chase.

I say gently because you must remember that, with only one or two exceptions, past employers are not legally obliged to provide a reference at all. If you annoy them too much there is a danger they will just ignore any request, which they are quite entitled to do, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

J_i_m

When I first started work with the NHS, I was sent home because my references hadn't all been received. And it fell to me to chase them up.

If emails haven't gained a satisfactory response then it is time to pick up the phone, insist on getting through to the correct people and highlighting the priority of the situation.

If heels continue to be dragged, then consider raising a formal grievance because it could put your new employment at risk.

Also liaise with your new management and HR, to demonstrate that any lack of organisation is not of your part.

Undervalued

J_i_m wrote: »

If heels continue to be dragged, then consider raising a formal grievance because it could put your new employment at risk.

Unless there is anything in the OP's current contract guaranteeing that a reference will be provided there are no grounds for a grievance. Sadly the provision of a reference relies on goodwill.

J_i_m

Yes... we'll guarantee you a reference... we'll take six months but you'll get eventually. Meanwhile the offer of employment has been terminated. I think in a case like that.. guarantee or not, a grievance would be quite legitimate.

Undervalued

J_i_m wrote: »

Yes... we'll guarantee you a reference... we'll take six months but you'll get eventually. Meanwhile the offer of employment has been terminated. I think in a case like that.. guarantee or not, a grievance would be quite legitimate.

Well yes, IF it is guaranteed then I would agree. But, very few are.

Andy_L

J_i_m wrote: »

Yes... we'll guarantee you a reference... we'll take six months but you'll get eventually. Meanwhile the offer of employment has been terminated. I think in a case like that.. guarantee or not, a grievance would be quite legitimate.

Can you raise a grievance against a company you don't work for anymore?

RiverStar

OP, l was in a similiar position to yourself years ago.
I was offered a post with the NHS and same as you, references were slow.
NHS HR spoke with their manager too.
The outcome was the offer was withdrawn and l was advised to gain other employment to build up references. They seemed to take it that slow references equated to a bad reference.

I found alternative employment and suggest you do the same.

I hope your outcome is different to mine.

RiverStar

Andy_L wrote: »

Can you raise a grievance against a company you don't work for anymore?

Andy,

I believe you can but it has to be raised within three months of leaving the former employment.

RS