Need a new job following Dismissal (Unfair but not proved)

duff67

I worked in a Bank 29year 11months.

Bank announced reduction in Branch Mgrs (BM) Qtr1 2014. All Mgrs were to offered choice of staying/redundancy. I was surprised to be called to a investigatory meeting 3 weeks later and suspended. I was disciplined and dismissed 3 weeks after that (right ontop of the reduction BM period).

I took it to Tribunal but Bank kept delaying matters and I ran out of money and had to withdraw. Bank would only agree if I signed no press agreement which I 'had' to do.

Anyway - that was end 14. I thought with my experience, a solicitors letter confirming my Tribunal case had merit in ther opinion, I would find another job - and I moved on.

AT present I am still having difficulty in getting a new job. I have been offered two having gone through assessments and interviews - one with a financial governing body, the other a council - but both have withdrawn their offer upon receipt of Bank reference.

I have complained to the Bank re reference, but whilst the complaint mgr dealing said he 'understood my complaint' , he could not change their reference of alter it to read 'dates employed'.

Over the job search, I am on the books of 14 Emplyment Agencies - in London, and local counties. I am applying but either - not acknowledged or being informed I am too experienced or 'not what they were looking for' (age perhaps although can't be said).

I speculate, trade fair, internet and paper review.

I am utterly saddened that I am considered useless, when all I did was stay loyal to one company who decided to break my trust in them prior to a 30year pension mark & during a BM timely reduction.

I now feel the only way I am going to get another Office Job is a friend of a friend, but you'd be surprised how many 'friends disaapear' when you're no use to them in employment.

Where do I look? - Where's the raft of opportunity to get a foot back on the ladder once 'dismissal' had happened in your life? Where....?

A desparate post, but I'm hoping someone. somewhere has an idea - a friend of a friend - or takes pity.

Thanks for reading and any responses.


( I would add, what has happened, has happened. I cannot change it now, or legally challenge again with other avenues - it was 18months ago - so could we keep any suggestions to way forward rather than retrospective - thanks guys)

agrinnall

Would you consider / could you fund retraining for a completely different career? I worked at one career for 27 years and now do something very different. I self-funded a Master's degree to help me make the change, although even then I've ended up doing something different to what I had originally intended.

tomtontom

You need to get a more recent reference, and a role that doesn't want a full five(+) year check. Short term, low skilled work would be the quickest route into work, or high volume call centres, albeit not in the financial sector. Then you can start to work your way back up once you've got a solid reference.

duff67

agrinnall wrote: »

Would you consider / could you fund retraining for a completely different career? I worked at one career for 27 years and now do something very different. I self-funded a Master's degree to help me make the change, although even then I've ended up doing something different to what I had originally intended.

Self funding is no option as any funds were spent on getting nowhere challenging the Banks actions. I now only live on £77pw JSA. I have nothing.

I appreciate your input tho and thank you.

duff67

tomtontom wrote: »

You need to get a more recent reference, and a role that doesn't want a full five(+) year check. Short term, low skilled work would be the quickest route into work, or high volume call centres, albeit not in the financial sector. Then you can start to work your way back up once you've got a solid reference.

Aware of the need for another reference. I am applying for Asst to Asst Office type roles that offer a low annual, but my view has been 'foot in the door'. However, as I mentioned above - replies are few and far between (perhaps my experience worries them ).

No local Call Centres to speak of.

I tried the Post Office this time last year for seasonal work to get that foot in, but they were offering up to 11 hrs per week locally & 16 hrs per week 35miles down the road.

The former would stop my JSA and Housing Benefit and I could then not afford to stay in my one bedroom flat. The latter, once petrol to get to and from was calculated, was uneconomic for the same reasons. Catch 22

I appreciate your input and suggestion - thank you

tomtontom

I would look more toward factory/ warehouse type work. You need something where they recruit in high numbers and don't have time to look too deeply at your past. Office work usually involves an element of trust, you're dealing with people's details, financial information etc, so they're going to be put off by your reference issue.

What area of the country are you in? Is moving an option, even if it means taking a room in a shared house for a while?

kelpie35

Are there not any retail positions going in your area with run up to Christmas?

missbiggles1

What qualifications do you have?

duff67

tomtontom wrote: »

I would look more toward factory/ warehouse type work. You need something where they recruit in high numbers and don't have time to look too deeply at your past. Office work usually involves an element of trust, you're dealing with people's details, financial information etc, so they're going to be put off by your reference issue.

What area of the country are you in? Is moving an option, even if it means taking a room in a shared house for a while?

Their should be no trust issues with my past. The reference says 'dismissed' but anyone linking the events detailed in my original post would see that the co-inciding factors were - BM nationally to be reduced in number - voluntary redundancied to be offered - surprise investigatory meeting suggesting - disciplinary dimissing. I didn't steal, commit fraud, muck about with, hit, display rudeness to bosses.

I have decided of late, I will move if I need to.

Office work is best due to health issues which are fine and non existant unless aggrivated.

Thanks for suggestions tho' - they all give me food for thought

duff67

kelpie35 wrote: »

Are there not any retail positions going in your area with run up to Christmas?

Similar to my mention above of the Christmas thoughts with Post Office last year ^^ ......

Any part time role would cease my JSA payment and not cover the Housing Benefit/No Council Tax currently being supported by Council.

If I achieved more than 20hrs a week it would break even - so a f/t position is needed. After Christmas I would need to re apply again and restart all processes with JSA and Housing Benefit ....

Its a good thought and one I will review again this year, but thought I had this solution last year only to be thwarted

Thanks for your input tho' - appreciate it

duff67

missbiggles1 wrote: »

What qualifications do you have?

MissBiggles

I joined the Bank 2 weeks after my O Levels (good old days) so have 5 of them - worked towards my ACIB so have first two years which equate to BTEC National Diploma in Law, Business Studies, People and Communication and Ecconomics - then started towards the ACIB qualification itself but Banks discouraged it towards the end of it being recognised.

I also have 30years - 30years of Banking Experience in Corporate, SME's and Personal.

Do you have a suggestion ?

Thanks