Help! - Don’t know what to do!

LMT98

So in September 2016 I started an apprenticeship but unfortunately in June 2017 due to the owners family circumstance she had to close the business.

As I still hadn’t finished my apprenticeship I found some temporary work in the same business to finish my apprenticeship but I was delayed starting due to my previous employer (whose business shut) as it took her ages to send them a reference even though she said I could use her.

Fast forward to now and I am out of work again as the person who took me on had to make me redundant. But I have been conditionally offered a job at the NHS since the end of January and again my previous employer is not responding!! I can’t start until I have a reference covering this period.

I also sent the new employer details of my Apprenticeship Tutor as she would be able to confirm I was in employment/education for the period in question, which again I asked if I could use her and she said yes but she isn’t responding either.

What am I supposed to do when no matter how many times I ask they won’t send a reference? My job offer will probably end up being retracted and I’m always going to have this problem when applying for any jobs in the future!

lincroft1710

Employers are not obliged to give a reference. But it does not look good for a potential employee if an employer does not provide a reference when asked.

techra02

you could try providing pay slips for the time period and confirming that you are happy to have DBR done if required. it is normally the company that apply for the references so I would contact the job offer people and explain the nhs always need good staff.

[Deleted User]

LMT98 wrote: »

What am I supposed to do when no matter how many times I ask they won’t send a reference? My job offer will probably end up being retracted and I’m always going to have this problem when applying for any jobs in the future!

No you are not it is just you chose an industry, which can't afford to not check references. I have been through the same with a care home when one of my employer's knowingly wouldn't ever partake in reference writing and actually write pre letters for ex employees which makes a point of telling any future employer there is no statutory duty to provide a reference.

The three times I have formally been made redundant in my working career there have been accompanying letter confirming the redundancy which have been usable and acceptable.

Ultimately you can get other jobs behind you as well which may provide a reference and be a get past your current situation so it isn't always going to feel like this.

clairec79

Does the middle employer (I assume they have provided a reference) still have the reference from the first employer by any chance?

If so maybe they could let you have that letter (or copy of)

dawyldthing

If there not replying to a letter could you find old email addresses and email them politely saying

Dear ....
I worked for you on an apprentiship between these dates and was wondering (and would be really grateful) if there's a possibility of using you as a reference?

Do the same for the trainer. Also see if there's a Hr as references often come through these.

I've found folk reply more to emails to be honest.

Good luck!

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Why are you talking to these old employers? Why aren't the NHS HR department contacting them?

Manxman_in_exile

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

Why are you talking to these old employers? Why aren't the NHS HR department contacting them?

Quite. I don't understand this either. Perhaps the trust HR dept has contacted the OP to say they can't get references from the nominated referees - but if that was the case I would have expected the OP to say so...


EDIT: Actually that might be what OP is saying but hasn't expressed it very well.

Mummyel

Ditto the email idea.