Advice on reference

bitsandbobs

Basically I have been working for a family run business for the last 18 months.

They have around 30 permanent employees and staff turnover like you would not believe. After 18 months I am now the 4th longest serving member of staff so that gives you an idea of how bad it is.

I report directly in to the director who if I was being nice I would call a dictator.

Another colleague of mine resigned last week and I then had a meeting with the owner to tell me how my role was going to change (essentially they wanted me to take on the other role with my current role which is just not physically possible). I thought about it overnight and then decided to resign the next day.

If i said he was unhappy over my resignation that would be an understatement. I get the feeling he is now going to try everything possible to make me walk out (which I am not planning on doing, I am more hoping he says enough is enough and just tells me to go).

My biggest worry is a reference.

The owner is a multi millionaire and gets off on power over people. I can imagine someone asking for a reference for me and him just ignoring it for the fun of it.
I was actually looking at applying for a couple of NHS clerical jobs but I know they ask for references from the last 3 years. I've been in my current job for 18 months, job before for 2 years and job before that was 13 years.

Just wondered if any of you guys had dealt with NHS references before or a situation like mine? I have done everything possible to be reasonable but once you are no use to the business he does not want to know you and that's where I find myself now.

Blatchford

I'm afraid that employers, even different NHS employers, will deal with this differently. So all you could do is explain your concerns. Some are more stringent than others about obtaining specific references. Not having a reference from the last employer is never easy, but regrettably there is nothing that can be done to force them to provide one.

[Deleted User]

There’s always a contact email address on individual jobs advertised on the NHS jobs website so contact the trusts to see what they say.

bitsandbobs

Thank you both so much

As suggested I have emailed the person on the job and told her my concerns. I really hope they will take on board my last 2 employers add up to 15 years and I have also added in the indeed reviews of my current employer which are on 2.3/5

ethank

Most NHS employers ask for both verbal and written references - particularly if you have access to patients

[Deleted User]

You are best advised keeping everything connected to your employment in proving you worked somewhere if it really came to it that is what you can rely on - old payslips, p60, offer letters anything.

Bury your history so any problematic considered employer becomes less valid.

I worked for a courier franchise who I thought were joking when it was said they didn't give references, it took a couple of years to come out but it is very likely they probably have never replied to any reference request. I've still managed even though I find it funny you can work for a courier company close to a year and have no reference but work for a compliance type of organisation for two months and are ensured a reference for the next 9 years. Just goes to show about having to get the right employer.

theoretica

If you could offer a personal reference from a colleague as an alternative to the business owner that might help fill the gap.

Blatchford

ethank wrote: »

Most NHS employers ask for both verbal and written references - particularly if you have access to patients

I've never come across anyone who admits to asking for verbal references. That's a pretty dangerous strategy as there is no record. Verbal references, in my experience, are rare, never admitted to being sought, and are usually a result of a concern that they shouldn't employ someone.

[Deleted User]

That's what I did. Worked for a bit of a bully who refused to give a reference at all (just the way he was) so I asked a higher level colleague to give references.

ethank

Blatchford wrote: »

I've never come across anyone who admits to asking for verbal references. That's a pretty dangerous strategy as there is no record. Verbal references, in my experience, are rare, never admitted to being sought, and are usually a result of a concern that they shouldn't employ someone.

As I said above "both verbal and written references" - one does not replace the other.

Of course there is a record, If I take a verbal reference - then I make a file note of the person who made it, the date, the time, and what they said.

Comms69

Just to be clear OP, outside of a few exceptions, there is no requirement for any employer to provide a reference.