Getting references from Sainsburys

dwdave

I left sainsburys around a year ago to go travelling, and have just got back to the UK and will soon start looking for jobs.
To get a reference from sainsburys, do you provide the details of the store you worked at for the new employer, or should I provide details for HRS Direct in Mancheter?
Only asking because I remember seeing on the HRS posters that littered the store, it mentioned contact them to get a reference, and I remember that the HR in the stores are a waste of time for most things compared with everywhere else I have worked including other supermarkets (to change any details e.g address/contact details or bank details I would just fill out the required form and hand it back to them, but with sainsbury, ''ring HRS, but use your own phone'')

DCFC79

I did skim read the post and would have said provide the details of the store you last worked at but having re read the post I'm not sure. I'd contact HRS direct and ask them, to be honest I've not seen these posters at work but would be interesting to know the answer.
I would have said use the store details as they would have a record of where you worked or what department you worked on.

HR in store used to deal with stuff like change of address, change of bank details but HRS must have been brought in to take some of the workload of the stores HR staff.

ohreally

Point a prospective employer in the direction of the company HR dept.

quinndelfre

Why didn't you ask the store manager or deputy manager for permission to use them for references in the future, and get their contact details before you left? They may have forgotten about you by now. That's assuming you left on good terms.

HR is only going to confirm your employment dates which is useless to most employers.

DCFC79

quinndelfre wrote: »

Why didn't you ask the store manager or deputy manager for permission to use them for references in the future, and get their contact details before you left? They may have forgotten about you by now. That's assuming you left on good terms.

HR is only going to confirm your employment dates which is useless to most employers.

I asked a previous manager if I could put him down as a reference and was told any references go to HR, its something I'll double check tomorrow if possible.

greatgimpo

I remember that the only references they will supply is something like:

"Fred Bloggs worked at Sainsbury's in Frinton (?) between 7th July 2012 to 15th October 2014."

That will be your lot.

quinndelfre

DCFC79 wrote: »

I asked a previous manager if I could put him down as a reference and was told any references go to HR, its something I'll double check tomorrow if possible.

It depends on how well you got on with everyone and if you left on good terms. I know several ex-Sainsburys employees who got references from their store manager. If your store manager doesn't like you s/he will just do it by the book and tell you to call HR.

dwdave

quinndelfre wrote: »

Why didn't you ask the store manager or deputy manager for permission to use them for references in the future, and get their contact details before you left? They may have forgotten about you by now. That's assuming you left on good terms.

HR is only going to confirm your employment dates which is useless to most employers.

Why? Because I am not after a character reference from them!!! All I need is confirmation of working dates at job title. BTW it isn't useless to most employers. At my first ever job, a lad that I was on the induction with got sacked after a week because he lied on his application form by stating he had worked for someone longer than he did, and also said he was an assistant manager. When his work reference came through, it said different....

greatgimpo wrote: »

I remember that the only references they will supply is something like:

"Fred Bloggs worked at Sainsbury's in Frinton (?) between 7th July 2012 to 15th October 2014."

That will be your lot.

That's all I need. Most of the jobs I'm after need a 5 year employment check (and explain any gaps).
Just need to find out if its all centralised now

22cuddles

You can put the store details but it will be referred directly to HRS direct - department or store managers aren't allowed to provide a reference for you, they have to refer any requests to HRS Direct.

JKSandy

I would always put head office/HR details for references unless you asked the store manager for a personal reference.

Most references are just dates and job title these days anyway.