Employment dispute

djmsemcgrath

Is there a correct forum for advice about a dispute with my former employer? They are acting hugely unreasonably, but I want the quickest possible solution, so I was after advice.

I handed my notice in and worked my 4 weeks. They were annoyed at me handing my notice in as they needed me, but they had treated me poorly for months so I found a better job. Today, I received my pay and it was £900 less than it should be. I phoned them, and they said "We can't discuss that over the phone, you'll have to come in and see us". I thought that was strange, but said OK, I'll come in today, and they said "we're busy today, sorry. Can you come in 2 weeks on Monday". I said no, because I need that money and they said sorry, that's the quickest we can do.

I am convinced they have underpaid me to get back at me for leaving, and are making things as difficult as possible.

In addition, I started my new job last week, and they've just received my reference. My new manager showed it to me, and it says "Timekeeping, poor. Reliability, poor. Attention to detail, poor, etc.". There's no positives on it at all. My manager said he's ignoring it, because he was 7 other employees from that company and they all left because of the way they were treated and he's received similar references in the past. However, he said that if head office do a spot check, they might look at it, and it might make my employment there difficult.

While I was working for my old company, every evaluation I had was fine and no-one raised any concerns, so again, I'm convinced they are out to get me, or make things difficult for me.

What is the best thing for me to do in this circumstance? I need my money as quickly as possible, so I haven't really got time to wait 2 weeks and follow their timescales. Can I threaten them with small claims this soon? Maybe a threat will work?

Can I sue or claim or something for reputational damage and damage to my working prospects by basically lying about me?

What options do I have?

Thanks in advance.

JJ_Egan

You can sue if you pay a legal advisor .
But your reputation would need to be proved and the damage to it .
You would be better asking in the Employment section .

djmsemcgrath

Ah sorry, I did look for an Employment forum, but couldn't see it. I've just spotted it, so I'll repost there. Thanks.

SuperHan

https://www.gov.uk/work-reference

You can only sue for a bad reference if it stopped you getting the job. Given the new manager dismissed it, there isn't even reputational damage.

bod1467

Many companies (my own included) do not allow any reference given to be any more than:

Name
Job Title
Period of employment

... for the simple fact of limiting liability from being sued.

bris

Just take them to the small claims court, have the evidence of work/hours done and what was paid and the courts will sort it.

arcon5

JJ_Egan wrote: »

You can sue if you pay a legal advisor .
But your reputation would need to be proved and the damage to it .
You would be better asking in the Employment section .

What are you even on about?!!!

NotRichAtAll

bod1467 wrote: »

Many companies (my own included) do not allow any reference given to be any more than:

Name
Job Title
Period of employment

... for the simple fact of limiting liability from being sued.

As above my old company stuck to the bare facts for references Mr Smith worked here for X years employed as X

pendragon_arther

SuperHan wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/work-reference

You can only sue for a bad reference if it stopped you getting the job. Given the new manager dismissed it, there isn't even reputational damage.

djmsemcgrath wrote: »

Is there a correct forum for advice about a dispute with my former employer? They are acting hugely unreasonably, but I want the quickest possible solution, so I was after advice.

I handed my notice in and worked my 4 weeks. They were annoyed at me handing my notice in as they needed me, but they had treated me poorly for months so I found a better job. Today, I received my pay and it was £900 less than it should be. I phoned them, and they said "We can't discuss that over the phone, you'll have to come in and see us". I thought that was strange, but said OK, I'll come in today, and they said "we're busy today, sorry. Can you come in 2 weeks on Monday". I said no, because I need that money and they said sorry, that's the quickest we can do.

I am convinced they have underpaid me to get back at me for leaving, and are making things as difficult as possible.

In addition, I started my new job last week, and they've just received my reference. My new manager showed it to me, and it says "Timekeeping, poor. Reliability, poor. Attention to detail, poor, etc.". There's no positives on it at all. My manager said he's ignoring it, because he was 7 other employees from that company and they all left because of the way they were treated and he's received similar references in the past. However, he said that if head office do a spot check, they might look at it, and it might make my employment there difficult.

While I was working for my old company, every evaluation I had was fine and no-one raised any concerns, so again, I'm convinced they are out to get me, or make things difficult for me.

What is the best thing for me to do in this circumstance? I need my money as quickly as possible, so I haven't really got time to wait 2 weeks and follow their timescales. Can I threaten them with small claims this soon? Maybe a threat will work?

Can I sue or claim or something for reputational damage and damage to my working prospects by basically lying about me?

What options do I have?

Thanks in advance.

Potentially there is a possibililty for reputation damage..

OP you have to decide whether to just sue for the missing money or that and libel and defamation of character. The former you can easily do online at the small claims, but it the latter you need to seek legal advice.