References 25 June 2022 at 4:36PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 23 replies 485 views

enzolondon1

So, after my long career with the nhs and several long term roles I moved out of the nhs last month but really not enjoying the new role and have been now offered another role within the nhs. My question is I haven't put my new employer on my list of referees having only been there one month but they are listed as an employer. My previous employers and prior to that are all happy to give references. Will they need to contact my current employer only having been there one month and they're not listed as a reference? if so I may as well leave now which obviously puts me at risk somewhat in terms of employment. Cheers folks 👍 

General_Grant

enzolondon1 said:

So, after my long career with the nhs and several long term roles I moved out of the nhs last month but really not enjoying the new role and have been now offered another role within the nhs. My question is I haven't put my new employer on my list of referees having only been there one month but they are listed as an employer. My previous employers and prior to that are all happy to give references. Will they need to contact my current employer only having been there one month and they're not listed as a reference? if so I may as well leave now which obviously puts me at risk somewhat in terms of employment. Cheers folks 👍 

But "leave now" doesn't help as your current employer will simply become a former employer.  
If they want references from x number of previous employers or for y years, they are unlikely to rule out your current employer.

Did you apply by completing an application form or send a CV listing referees at the end?  I would expect that it was the former and they would have specified what references they wanted to take up.

enzolondon1

Apologies. What I meant by 'leave now' is that my current employer only requires one week notice. I applied for my the new role by completing an application form. My current employer is listed under the employment section but not the reference section as I have only been there a month so only my previous employers are listed having been with them for several years. Hope that makes sense! 

TELLIT01

It would certainly raise questions if you didn't list them as an employer, but given the short time you have been there I can understand the logic of not listing them as a reference.  There is nothing to stop your potential new employer contacting them if they so wish.  NHS references would seem to be far more relevant anyway.

enzolondon1

Exactly. I felt I should list them as an employer and as far as I'm aware they've been happy with my work and conduct I am just not sure I want them being contacted as a reference hence why I didn't list them as a referee. I am hoping they will contact my previous references given they were only 2 months ago and have only been with my current employer just over a month (long enough to know this isn't a right fit though but also grateful for the employment so don't particularly want to shoot myself in the foot here!) 

theoretica

My employer insists on references covering the whole of the last 3 years, and will ask for more references if someone has had a lot of jobs or gaps.  But they are mainly interested that you were doing what you said you were.

enzolondon1

I absolutely have nothing to hide and all of my employment references I am sure would be fine. I would just prefer them not to make contact with my one and only ever short term employer for reasons such as once they make contact with them I will feel obliged then to hand in my one week notice. If this new position doesn't pull through for whatever reason I am then without a job, the time it takes for nhs recruitment means I am likely to be months without pay. 

MovingForwards

I was asked if it was ok to contact my current employer, said no as it would make it awkward for me as they didn't know I was looking for another job. I offered an alternative reference, who they contacted instead.

General_Grant

enzolondon1 said:

I absolutely have nothing to hide and all of my employment references I am sure would be fine. I would just prefer them not to make contact with my one and only ever short term employer for reasons such as once they make contact with them I will feel obliged then to hand in my one week notice. If this new position doesn't pull through for whatever reason I am then without a job, the time it takes for nhs recruitment means I am likely to be months without pay. 

 You can ask the potential NHS employer not to contact your current one until you accept their job offer.
Even then, just because a reference is being requested doesn't mean you have to resign.  

enzolondon1

Yes, I have given other reference details but obviously not my current one due to the short period of time I have been there. I have verbally accepted this offer but I will wait to hear from recruitment or speak to them to see what the plan is regarding requesting references. I am sure once my current employer are aware as to my rationale and thoughts for seeking other employment they would rather someone leave especially for someone still in their probationary period who is not finding the role suitable. 

Throwaway1

enzolondon1 said:

Yes, I have given other reference details but obviously not my current one due to the short period of time I have been there. I have verbally accepted this offer but I will wait to hear from recruitment or speak to them to see what the plan is regarding requesting references. I am sure once my current employer are aware as to my rationale and thoughts for seeking other employment they would rather someone leave especially for someone still in their probationary period who is not finding the role suitable. 

You staying longer gives them more time to advertise and find a replacement though.