Care Manager Who Doesn't Care!

[san070160]

I worked as and Activities Co-ordinator at a Residential Home for three years, and I absolutely loved it! I was also very good at it.

Anyway, we got a new Manager, and to cut a long story short, it soon became very clear that she was bullying not just the Staff, but Elderly Residents too.
I spoke up about it, and since then she made my life Hell! So I had no choice but to leave. I got myself a job that I did't really want, but I made my feelings towards this Bully very clear before I left.

My problem is that now I'm applying for other jobs in Care Homes, and she's refusing to give me a Reference! She won't even give the dates when I started and finished working there (which is all I need), and so far it has cost me two jobs which I was offered, but then had the offers withdrawn becuase they could't get a reference from her. I was able to get lots of other refereences, but these particular companies insisted on references fro the last two Employers. I've been to Employment Law Offices and they say the if there's no sex or racial discrimination, there'sx nothing I can do. Aparently, bullying doesn't count. How mad is that? Anybody got any ideas?

[Quoi]

Not exactly sure what the total answer is here but the recommendation from fsb(federation of small business) a few years back was that refusing to give a reference can be discriminatory because it implies a problem to prospective employers and can be seen as just as bad as providing a defamatory one.
This sounds true in your case as you have lost 2 positions directly as a cause.
How long ago did you leave - is a tribunal still an option?

[woofgang]

If she is abusing residents then this is a matter for social services regardless of who placed the people there. have you spoken to them?

[237SJ]

Are you still in touch with the previous manager? Maybe you could appeal to her/him for a reference of sorts.

[factor-fiction]

Is there anyone higher up you could complain to or ask to give references?

[Mosaic]

Sadly workplace bullying is difficult to prove as it requires colleagues to go out on a limb on your behalf. Consequently many excellent workers leave their place of work through bullying. It isn't right, and it is one reason why joining a union is a good idea if you are on low pay.
The legal position as far as references go are explained here:
https://www.gov.uk/work-reference
The thing you need to know is whether the job that you left included an agreement to provide a reference.
You might also track down the previous manager and ask them if they'll act as a referee.
If you quote your current lady as a manager and she refuses to give a reference she looks an @rse, but if a previous employer provides one you're in with a chance.
However, is the lady actually giving you a bad reference? If this is inaccurate then she is liable.

[gina32]

get in touch with cqc or head office

[velkom]

Have you contacted the CEO of the company ?. If you have a head of Nursing would she write you one? It might be a good idea to contact CQC. If all else fails maybe make an appointment to the places you wanted to work and tell them the truth.