Awaiting reference

aleachay

Having been out of a job for a year I have been offered a job on condition of satisfactory last employer reference and a character reference. The character reference is fine and has already been submitted.
This was 3 weeks ago and the last employer reference is still outstanding despite much chasing. They are aware and I have been told that they will do it this week.
I am just wondering if anyone else has had to wait this long for a reference? I am hoping there isn't a problem.
Thanks,

InsideInsurance

Depends on internal processes etc. It can takes weeks for a reference to be done as its no ones top priority and can involve several people.

aleachay

Thanks for your response InsideInsurance

Undervalued

Keep in mind that, except in a very few regulated professions, your former employer cannot be forced to provide a reference at all.

So, you need to carefully balance "much chasing" with the risk of annoying them to the point of ignoring the request altogether.

quinndelfre

Some employers promise to write you a reference but deliberately take a long time to respond, or never respond so you lose the new job. I'd ask someone else for a reference.

aleachay

She said she would try to do it in the next few days. Fingers crossed that she will do it by the end of this week.

makeyourdaddyproud

quinndelfre wrote: »

Some employers promise to write you a reference but deliberately take a long time to respond, or never respond so you lose the new job. I'd ask someone else for a reference.

This is a load of cobblers.

If you do the job well in the 'quarantine' period and they like you, the permanently late reference will not matter.

aleachay

Hope it is a load of cobblers!

quinndelfre

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

This is a load of cobblers.

If you do the job well in the 'quarantine' period and they like you, the permanently late reference will not matter.

That's assuming you get to start working in the new job before the reference is checked. Often you need the references cleared before given a start date.

aleachay

I need the reference before they will give me a start date.

aleachay

UPDATE:
references arrived and were satisfactory and I start the new job on the 23rd. Hooray!