References unavailable

Hevvybear

Okay, so I've been offered a job and have signed and returned the offer acceptance letter and resigned from my current job.
I've made a big mistake (which I already know so please don't tell me again)
I listed my 2 references, one is my current manager and an old reference. I stupidly didn't check with the old referee if they would be happy to do it as they've done it for me before, not knowing theyve actually moved on from that position and I have no way to contact them.
My current manager has been stuck abroad a few months due to corona and was going to do my reference but now realises he cant get into his emails. No knowing when he will get back.
Im going to call the new employer first thing next week and try to explain the situation and offer them different references but I'm worried they wont let me change my references thinking I might be hiding something.
Do you think they'll be willing to accept different referees or do you think I've no chance now of that job? Thank you

Brynsam

I think you've got every chance of the job!

What's to stop your current manager speaking to your potential new employer? Happens all the time and may well be the best way forward in this climate. Saying he 'cant get into his e-mails' does look a bit odd; why can't he, unless he's on furlough?

As to the old referee - if he's moved on, presumably you simply need to give the HR department as a contact? Makes it uncomfortably obvious you didn't bother to check/ask consent before naming him, but that's hardly uncommon.

[Deleted User]

+1 for still getting the job.
I was pretty worried last Autumn I couldn't/wouldn't be getting a reference particularly after the current manager was leaving at same time, concerned about their eligibility to even write one, and I really worried myself stupid for no point, after posting on here the most sensible thing I could do was I sent the new employer an email about it - 
The response back was "If there are any issues we will, of course, be in touch. But we don't anticipate any. Enjoy your last week at xyz!"
Nothing more ever heard. And I never asked further. 
At the next interview with a small company, who asked straight out about about references in first interview, for the second interview just looking super organised and ready with details, along with things I'd managed to keep hold of in writing, (fortunate enough to have a copy of one business reference as a letter from only couple of years ago) I was able to produce these there and then. 

Hevvybear

Brynsam said:

I think you've got every chance of the job!

What's to stop your current manager speaking to your potential new employer? Happens all the time and may well be the best way forward in this climate. Saying he 'cant get into his e-mails' does look a bit odd; why can't he, unless he's on furlough?

As to the old referee - if he's moved on, presumably you simply need to give the HR department as a contact? Makes it uncomfortably obvious you didn't bother to check/ask consent before naming him, but that's hardly uncommon.

He could still do the reference when he gets back from being stuck abroad.. Just worried the new company wont want to wait that long and also for my peace of mind I'd like to sort it sooner rather than later. But yes he's not totally out of the equation its just some unforseen changes of circumstances

Mrsn

Most places if they don’t have any joy with the references first given will ask if there’s anyone else they can approach.

I am sure when you speak to them in a few days they will be ok regarding what has happened.

74jax

How do you know he doesn't have access to emails? Have you spoken to him? In which case the new employer can too?

Surely when the reference to the other person who has moved on is recieved, someone will open their mail and will either give a generic reference or explain why? 

Grumpy_chap

"I've been offered a job and have signed and returned the offer acceptance letter"
I wouldn't worry tbh - after the above step, in most cases the references are merely a formality.