Getting a reference from EE for a new job

[oliviajohnson96]

Hello all,

I have a bit of a weird issue I need help with. I was employed by EE from Aug 2019 - March 2020 and I have recently been offered a new job with a different company. They're trying to complete my reference checks before I can start working, however EE are saying they can't find me on their system. I have since changed my name but they have been given my previous name (that I worked under) along with a signed copy of my contract and my employee number, yet apparently there's still no trace of me within their system.

This isn't the first job I've had since I left EE so the references have been submitted once before already and I'm not sure who to contact to speak to about this, as it's delaying my start date.

Any advice? Thanks 🙂

[mikeliuk]

I would recommend that in your communications with the service provider which shall not be named, that you use your former name and put in brackets that your current name is something different, and give that current name. I can imagine that someone might have just searched based on the first name seen or rejected a name as not matching the employee number (you can ask if the employee number is a valid one). If you've already done as suggested here, this will not be relevant.

You may want to double check your previous contract whether there was any promise to provide a reference as this may give you additional leverage: https://www.gov.uk/work-reference

I would guess you are going via their central HR but you may wish to enquire also with a former line manager, or ask a former colleague to enquire with their former or current line manager to locate your historical existence. If you can find witnesses that you were an employee, it will cause the service provider to look more carefully.

You may also request proof of your employment history from HMRC https://www.gov.uk/get-proof-employment-history and may wish to check old payslips to see if the service provider which shall not be named was your direct employer or whether your direct employer had a different name that may not mention the service provider.

[Christopher_G]

Hi @oliviajohnson96

Congratulations on the new job. 🙂

They should be able to find you with your previous name and employee number. I see @mikeliuk has given you some fantastic information here. I've also sent you a private message with some advice.

Chris

[oliviajohnson96]

Hi @mikeliuk , thanks for your response

Unfortunately I don't think the solutions you have suggested are going to bring me much avail. I'm not the one that is directly in contact with the service provider, as the reference checks are being done through an external company.

I have also contacted my previous supervisor who has mentioned it to my former line manager and has provided both of their email addresses, which I have also provided to the company doing my reference checks, but doesn't seem to have gotten me anywhere.

Is there a direct phone number/email address for HR that I can contact directly to prove that I was a former employee and to see if I can push my reference along? I can't seem to find any contact numbers online.

Thanks for your help! Everything is appreciated