Job offer withdrawn because of ref...

[Rach*]

I went for a trial day at a dental practice last week, they were very impressed, patients all loved me, CV outstanding etc etc.
They rang me first thing the next day to offer me the job but would be checking my references.

I gave the names and numbers of the people I currently work for. They both have no issues with me, I've been a great staff member.

However, I was working with one of them today and he was fishing as to whether the practice had been in touch and hinting there might be a problem.

I'm meant to start on Weds 16th.

Sure enough I received a TEXT saying the job offer was being withdrawn.

After a little cry... I replied asking for reasons. I havent had an answer.


I've been fuming all day and just read this on the ACAS site.

"Job offers are sometimes made 'subject to satisfactory references being received', but this is not advisable. The referee may simply fail to provide any kind of reference. There is no legal requirement to do so. Or a referee may wrongly indicate the applicant is unsuitable, in which case if the offer is withdrawn on those grounds, the organisation could face legal action by the applicant."

The reference was given over the phone so there is no documented evidence of what was said. I also suspect he has a motive that he wants me to be available to work for him on a whim and has strung me along using a promise of more hours for sometime.



Can anyone offer any constructive advice please?

I feel bloody naive and really really gutted.

(I've just applied for 2 more positions and will be giving a different colleague as a ref!)

[ali_kat]

I would ring them, and ask them why the offer has been withdrawn, I'd also explain what your ex-colleague may be playing at... asking them if they would request his reference to be put in writing?

Totally awful Rach

Edited by ali_kat on Monday 12th April 19:26

[Rach*]

Thanks Ali, I feel sad tonight


Just been doing some googling, looks like doing anything about it is costly and a nightmare
http://etclaims.co.uk/tag/data-protection/

Just keep my fingers crossed for the 2 other jobs I've applied for.


Hope your search is going well

[ali_kat]

Hopefully one of the employment law experts here will give you some 'proper' advice soon.

In the meantime

Slowly

[Rach*]

Good luck!


I've just eaten the middle gooey bit from 3 donuts, I don't feel better yet

[Four Cofffee]

Just the reason references should always be written. The telpehone reference was the norm in teaching at one point and even now there is a sort of language they use to say something without saying it, if ypu get my drift?

If you are nor prepared to have people know it, don't be so spineless as to hit and run IMHO.

[Rach*]

What an arse eh.


You live and learn, putting this one down to experience. Life since the RAF has been a HUGE learning curve, its bloody ruthless out here.


I really need to toughen up.

[N Dentressangle]

Do you have a union or professional association you could consult, or join if you're not already a member?

Would it be worth going back to the practice and offering them other referees, such as past employers, and outlining the 'difficult' position with your current referee? You'd need to be careful not to slag him/her off, but at the same time raise some doubts about motives...

eta Worth joining these guys?

http://www.bsdht.org.uk/index.html

One call to the legal helpline, and you've pretty much got back your 88 quid membership, no?

Edited by N Dentressangle on Monday 12th April 20:25

[Grey Ghost]

Rach* said:

I really need to toughen up.

Perhaps you should take the first step and write a formal request to the potential employer to explain what was in the reference provided that prevented them offering you the job. You should also approach your current employer and have them produce a copy of the reference they provided. If they have no issues with the way you work you should not find out about it via a gripe to a potential new employer. The same way you should not find out about issues at an appraisal interview - just shows poor management technique and an inability to resolve issues face to face.

If neither respond take it a step further and ask them if they understand "defamation of character" and how that could be viewed at an employment tribunal.

If someone is lying about your work ability you need to sort it out now.

[Rach*]

Thanks Norbert, we do have a legal team we can call.


I'm actually too embarrassed to go back to the practice, especially as they didnt even have the professional courtesy to phone and sent me a text instead!


I could send a FOI request and hope they send something back

[Soovy]

1. Call the practive and ask what the problem is.
2. If they won't tell you, mail me. You're entitled to know what is said about you. I'll ream them.
3. Push for the other jobs

[Rach*]

Grey Ghost said:

Rach* said:

I really need to toughen up.

Perhaps you should take the first step and write a formal request to the potential employer to explain what was in the reference provided that prevented them offering you the job. You should also approach your current employer and have them produce a copy of the reference they provided. If they have no issues with the way you work you should not find out about it via a gripe to a potential new employer. The same way you should not find out about issues at an appraisal interview - just shows poor management technique and an inability to resolve issues face to face.

If neither respond take it a step further and ask them if they understand "defamation of character" and how that could be viewed at an employment tribunal.

If someone is lying about your work ability you need to sort it out now.

The ref was a phone call, do you think they'll write up a transcript?

It's a horrible feeling that my trust has been so abused.

[Rach*]

Soovy said:

1. Call the practive and ask what the problem is.
2. If they won't tell you, mail me. You're entitled to know what is said about you. I'll ream them.
3. Push for the other jobs

Thanks Soovy. I'll call them tomorrow.

[XDA]

What sort of employer withdraws a job offer via text? If they act like that, i wouldnt want to work for a company like that!

[Davel]

That's bloody awful and so cruel of them.

If they've given you a bad reference, they really could be in deep pooh - especially if there's anything anywhere in writing.

It's also made things very difficult for you where you work now, because you've lost all trust and respect for them.

Keep looking and I'm sure that you'll find a better job.

[XDA]

What sort of employer withdraws a job offer via text? If they act like that, i wouldnt want to work for a company like that!

[Dave_M]

Although the ref was verbal, perhaps the referee emailed a colleague / manager to inform them?

That would then mean there is an email trail which of course can be audited.

Even the suggestion of it may shake them up (however your organisation may not be the type that emails etc).

It's a poor way to treat anyone and tells you something about both organisations perhaps. It's quite unusual these days for bad refernces to be given (for good reason). However, in a verbal communication it is easy to 'just' cast doubt.

Good luck.

[northandy]

XDA said:

What sort of employer withdraws a job offer via text? If they act like that, i wouldnt want to work for a company like that!

My thoughts too, if thats their style id stay clear.

Thats crap on the reference front Rach, sounds like your boss is a spineless so and so. I'd ask them direct what they said.

[Rach*]

Thanks for all your valuable comments. I really appreciate it.


I'm pretty shocked by all the things that have happened, and behaviour of people, pretty rubbish really. I don't like game players and in this job you need to trust your colleagues.

I moved here because there is alot of work around. Fingers crossed for the next few weeks

[N Dentressangle]

Rach* said:

Soovy said:

1. Call the practive and ask what the problem is.
2. If they won't tell you, mail me. You're entitled to know what is said about you. I'll ream them.
3. Push for the other jobs

Thanks Soovy. I'll call them tomorrow.

That's the spirit. Screw your courage up and give them a call - most people are just frightened of others' reactions, rather than actually being lying and malicious. Good luck - you'll be fine.

2 and 3 are excellent fallbacks