Some Sound Advice Please

[sb78]

I have recently secured a new job in a secondary school (Academy not local authority) I have had the job offer and signed the contract. I am due to start in September. I currently work for the Local Authority as a Youth Worker and have done so for four years. When I applied for my new job the application form asked for two references, one being from my most recent employer. It also stated that they would normally ask for references prior to interview and there was no option to opt out of this. I did not want my current line manager to know that I was applying for a new job, in case I didn't get it and they had contacted her with a reference request prior to interview. I believe this would have made working with her very awkward after, as she is not the most understanding manager in the world!! I therefore asked another manager in the workplace, who has managed me when my line manager has been on annual leave or off sick and I also asked another member of staff from our department to write me a reference. They were both happy to do this and after a successful interview and two brilliant references, I got the job. When I told my current line manager that I had a new job and handed my notice in, she wanted to know who my references were as she said she MUST be one as it is local authority procedures that a reference had to be written by my line manager. I then called my new employers and asked if they would send a reference form to my line manager so she could write me one, which they agreed, but weren't worried about receiving, as they already had two good references for me and contracts etc signed. My line manager was very angry that I had asked 2 other people for references and not her and even though I explained the predicament I was in at the time, because I didn't want her to know I was going for an interview for a job and if I didn't get it, I felt it would make working for her very difficult, she took it to our county manager who called me in for a meeting. She told me that I was very wrong for doing this and that I should have asked my line manager for a reference prior to interview! She said that the reference from the other manager in our department should not have been sent or counted and she could make life very difficult for me as whether I could still go to my new job in September! I feel very threatened and have spent the last four years being scared of my line manager, yet have stuck it out and NEVER had a day off sick in the whole 4 years. I am sick with worry and haven't slept it eaten for a week, wondering if my current employer will do something to lose me my new job or just the general fact that I still have to work for my line manager for another 2 months before I leave. I know she will make life very very difficult for me and what doesn't help is she is friends out of work with the county manager, making me feel that they are both going to stick together and make my working days a complete misery. I have been to the doctors as I am so ill with stress and my GP has signed me off work. However, I am too scared to take time off work in case my current managers do something to jeopardise my new job, such as ring or write to them and tell them that I am off sick for a while. Can anybody phrase help or advise what I can or should do. Would appreciate it greatly! Thank you in advance

[vodkancoke]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Jobs-and-Education/Question1253620.html

[Mosaic]

Smile and wave bye bye. You got a job accepted and signed for. Liney managey Lady is just having a grump because she can no longer control you. You start in September, so blow these silly lady dogs out of your bottom hole and enjoy your new life!

[Zacs-Master]

I thought you'd already asked this

[brandyrose]

Sb78 I do feel for you. I can only tell you what I think from experience
It sounds like - your job is in the bag so dont worry. It is for your new employer to explain from where they expect references - you satisfied this so thats that. I cant see how you could have any problems. Just for your own record though just keep a note of all the things she said and dates etc., I dont think you have a thing to worry about and enjoy you time there as best you can. Alot of people get references from "non-line" managers and if it is acceptable then great - you know best. Dont let this woman get to you please.

I had a boss once who I got on great with but I got this great job elsewhere and I asked that references were requested after I was offered the job and she was furious with me that I hadn't told her. (I'm so glad I didn't tell her but she hardly spoke to me because of it!) She did do the reference and she was my line manager. She spent my final weeks trying to put me off the new company. Luckily I didn't listen to a word she said. I hadn't done anything wrong and you haven't done anything wrong - its just the way it works sometimes.

[brandyrose]

sb 78- forgot to mention.. now I dont think employers are allowed to mention sickness in references. Look after your self and do fun nice things to balance what it is like being around this woman. Do not let her get to you. x