Previous employer ruining my life.

[bigmalky]

Well, to start it all off, I lost my job under the terrible probationary period rules created to shaft employees for any reason that HR deem possible.

 

My problem was that I was a good worker but an old employee decided to return to work after very long term sickness and created an issue with staffing levels.

 

The local authority I worked for decided to go down a different route for my non-confirmation in post though and I was made to look like I was incompetent, always late for work and an underachiever. Despite supervisions that did not discuss any of these matters, proof from other staff that I did not fit into their category of bad employee and three probationary meetings that were full of lies and no support from the apparently 'on the fence' HR member, my post was terminated with no right to take them to task for the allegations made against me.

 

So I have found myself unemployed for nearly a year with no benefits as my partner works over 20 hours a week and with little prospect of finding any jobs close to what I was doing in the first place.

 

I did however apply for a job in December and despite waiting nearly 2 months for a CRB check to clear, I was called to discuss information recieved by the company further yesterday.

 

Apparently, the reference that was recieved yesterday (which took nearly 2 months for my ex-manager to bother to send to them), contained information regarding to my bad timekeeping, which was never proven despite me asking managers to supply documented evidence while I was working there.

 

Now I'm not sure if this can be fought legally because of the standing I had with my probationary period, but I am at my wicks end trying to get back into work when it's not suitable enough for my old employer to get rid of me with no grounds but to also impede my future by supplying false information against me to get any further work.

 

It looks as if yesterday's meeting was a failure because of this and again, I have nowhere to turn but by flushing ten years of a good career and also my life down the toilet because of these idiots.

 

I'm 31 and having to restart my entire working life by going back to college to get an access course to uni. Because of these people, I have terrible anxiety attacks all the time and I'm more or less a hermit because I do not want to face the outside world anymore.

 

I'm sick of hearing, chalk it up to experience... Easily said when you've never had to go back to square one after a full decade of working. Where do I go from here?

[elpulpo]

Were you shown a copy of the reference yesterday?

It might be worth submitting a subject access request to this potential employer, requesting that they provide you with a copy of the reference.

Then you can check its contents and possibly challenge the statements they've made.

[bigmalky]

Were you shown a copy of the reference yesterday?

It might be worth submitting a subject access request to this potential employer, requesting that they provide you with a copy of the reference.

Then you can check its contents and possibly challenge the statements they've made.

 

I called today and asked them if they will send me my references to which they are doing.

 

I had to get a previous employer to send a reference because of the frequent delays from my last manager. Both my other references are really good and reflect exactly what I am like as a worker. This is the only one which has apparent issues in my abilities.

 

The new employer is also asking for a reference from another job so that they can see what I was like there too. It feels as if I'm being investigated rather than accepted. I'm not sure I want to work for them at all but I am desperate to get back into work and continue with life.

[Bigredbus]

If your 'old' employer's reference substentially contradicts the present one... then the present one does not stand a chance of enlighting this employer in a negative way...

 

You could send them a copy of both your 'old' references to emphasise the fact that the last reference you received is ill-formed...

Edited April 1, 2010 by Bigredbus

[uaruman]

Well, to start it all off, I lost my job under the terrible probationary period rules created to shaft employees for any reason that HR deem possible.

 

My problem was that I was a good worker but an old employee decided to return to work after very long term sickness and created an issue with staffing levels.

 

The local authority I worked for decided to go down a different route for my non-confirmation in post though and I was made to look like I was incompetent, always late for work and an underachiever. Despite supervisions that did not discuss any of these matters, proof from other staff that I did not fit into their category of bad employee and three probationary meetings that were full of lies and no support from the apparently 'on the fence' HR member, my post was terminated with no right to take them to task for the allegations made against me.

 

So I have found myself unemployed for nearly a year with no benefits as my partner works over 20 hours a week and with little prospect of finding any jobs close to what I was doing in the first place.

 

I did however apply for a job in December and despite waiting nearly 2 months for a CRB check to clear, I was called to discuss information recieved by the company further yesterday.

 

Apparently, the reference that was recieved yesterday (which took nearly 2 months for my ex-manager to bother to send to them), contained information regarding to my bad timekeeping, which was never proven despite me asking managers to supply documented evidence while I was working there.

 

Now I'm not sure if this can be fought legally because of the standing I had with my probationary period, but I am at my wicks end trying to get back into work when it's not suitable enough for my old employer to get rid of me with no grounds but to also impede my future by supplying false information against me to get any further work.

 

It looks as if yesterday's meeting was a failure because of this and again, I have nowhere to turn but by flushing ten years of a good career and also my life down the toilet because of these idiots.

 

I'm 31 and having to restart my entire working life by going back to college to get an access course to uni. Because of these people, I have terrible anxiety attacks all the time and I'm more or less a hermit because I do not want to face the outside world anymore.

 

I'm sick of hearing, chalk it up to experience... Easily said when you've never had to go back to square one after a full decade of working. Where do I go from here?

 

Malice in the business world, along with 'black lists' are sadly, a part of the world we live in. Solution is very simple. Find a friend, or somebody with a related business, and get them to write a factual reference for you.

Try it (with variations) you might be surprised.

Play them at their own game.

[elpulpo]

And you worked for a local authority, is that right?

[uaruman]

Local authorities are a fascinating subject. In mine, in the departments I was involved with, they were usually run by either one or two families. This was, in my case, the Licensing Department and the Passenger Transport Executive.

 

It was disturbing to find this situation had become normal over the years, although it was unlikely to be found in the real world.

Of course the problems were horrendous. Bullying, threats, and any signs of 'not fitting in' meant you would be 'stitched up' very quickly (as you well know). There was no where to go with a complaint, because if you did, it was another family member you were complaining about to.

 

The power these people held was truly frightening, and from my understanding, absolutely nothing has changed to this day.

 

The Executive are well aware of the alledged corruption in these scenario's especially in the case of tenders, but choose no doubt out of necessity, to ignore it.

 

I'm sure you are aware of how deep the issues go... and it would take several pages to cover all the points. However most, if not all local authority dealings are incestuos (in some form or another).

 

Sadly, most of the local press also seem to fall in bed with their local authority and so these issues are never, ever fully investigated

 

I'm sure I have told you nothing you are not fully aware of sooooo just get round it, before (like a good friend of mine) you have a nervous breakdown. I left that 'Alice in Wonderland' situation years ago!

Edited April 1, 2010 by uaruman
final

[bigmalky]

If your 'old' employer's reference substentially contradicts the present one... then the present one does not stand a chance of enlighting this employer in a negative way...

 

You could send them a copy of both your 'old' references to emphasise the fact that the last reference you received is ill-formed...

 

They already have the other references but are adamant that the previous one is what they're going on.

[bigmalky]

Malice in the business world, along with 'black lists' are sadly, a part of the world we live in. Solution is very simple. Find a friend, or somebody with a related business, and get them to write a factual reference for you.

Try it (with variations) you might be surprised.

Play them at their own game.

 

Most employers I know tend to want your previous employer as a reference along with another, so it doesn't really work.

 

And you worked for a local authority, is that right?

 

Indeed. A county council to be exact.

 

Local authorities are a fascinating subject. In mine, in the departments I was involved with, they were usually run by either one or two families. This was, in my case, the Licensing Department and the Passenger Transport Executive.

 

It was disturbing to find this situation had become normal over the years, although it was unlikely to be found in the real world.

Of course the problems were horrendous. Bullying, threats, and any signs of 'not fitting in' meant you would be 'stitched up' very quickly (as you well know). There was no where to go with a complaint, because if you did, it was another family member you were complaining about to.

 

The power these people held was truly frightening, and from my understanding, absolutely nothing has changed to this day.

 

The Executive are well aware of the alledged corruption in these scenario's especially in the case of tenders, but choose no doubt out of necessity, to ignore it.

 

I'm sure you are aware of how deep the issues go... and it would take several pages to cover all the points. However most, if not all local authority dealings are incestuos (in some form or another).

 

Sadly, most of the local press also seem to fall in bed with their local authority and so these issues are never, ever fully investigated

 

I'm sure I have told you nothing you are not fully aware of sooooo just get round it, before (like a good friend of mine) you have a nervous breakdown. I left that 'Alice in Wonderland' situation years ago!

 

It's an entirely unfair system and the government really need to look into the problems that it causes for average Joe's. Hopefully one day, there will be a big investigation of local authorities and their inner workings and the people who abuse the system will be the ones to lose their jobs. I just can't find anything justifiable from my loss of job and it hits hard.

 

I'm basically on the verge of breakdown, no job, no money causes family issues, mortgage issues, getting letters from debt collectors that i have explained a million times that I cannot pay and they won't accept my payment protection insurance... I really am on the edge with it all.

 

I've already hit breakdown and not unjustified.

[Conniff]

I called today and asked them if they will send me my references to which they are doing.

 

I had to get a previous employer to send a reference because of the frequent delays from my last manager. Both my other references are really good and reflect exactly what I am like as a worker. This is the only one which has apparent issues in my abilities.

 

The new employer is also asking for a reference from another job so that they can see what I was like there too. It feels as if I'm being investigated rather than accepted. I'm not sure I want to work for them at all but I am desperate to get back into work and continue with life.

 

Don't call, that will get you nowhere, do as advised and write a recorded delivery letter with a SAR and enclose £10. This is a statutory request that they must deliver on and only have a set time in which to respond.

[bigmalky]

Don't call, that will get you nowhere, do as advised and write a recorded delivery letter with a SAR and enclose £10. This is a statutory request that they must deliver on and only have a set time in which to respond.

 

Why pay £10 that I've not got when they're sending it for nothing?

[Conniff]

They will send you what 'they' want and not what 'you' want. With an sar, you get everything.