Any employment law experts about?

[akr]

as far as I know a job offer can't be withdrawn because of a reference. references are more these days to just back up what you wrote in your CV. so if I say I can determine protein structure by NMR my phd supervisor would either agree or disagree (well I hope agree). they are almost pointless now

We've withdrawn an offer due to, not quite a poor reference, but a company and the person's versions of why they left not quite matching up. If the person had been upfront we might still have considered them but in the end there was too much uncertainty so we withdrew our offer.

I'd personally just speak to your new employer and say you are being held to work your notice period - though this may be a bit late now. As above I think you new employer should be able to get you some sort of advance, though it does make it harder for payroll but should be do-able.

 

[POAH]

really ? - i thought you were in university research depts - My sister is in that line and she's always had to have probation etc (course may be its different north of the border)

a reference is used to be back up what you have told the employer in your CV. this is obviously also done at the interview as well. You see it in the information you from the adverts so its not hidden. You'd not be offered the job untill they have had references

 

[Flightphoto]

References are all fine and the letter of official employment arrived this morning detailing who to report to etc With regards to sick leave - I don't get paid it in the first year of employment for the bank (which also was not mentioned in the contract) I'm just working until Friday - this new company is someone who I could be working for long term on top of running the photography business do I will invest in them as much as they will do with me etc I was offered the job internally through a friend who works there luckily! I've not been head hunted for a few years so this is one is just a god send. The trouble with my current employer is they are now becoming more sour as the time gets shorter - to the point that I'm now doing their dirty work ie filing docs that have been in storage since the early 80s (compared to the 7 years that risk management state) if anything does become sour or threats of legal action upon instant dismissal then I am happy to use the power of social media to make it clear how this employer violates employment law on a daily basis to the point that the contract is as useful as a chocolate teapot! Thanks for the advice soo far guys, it's appreciated

 

[viv1969]

If sick leave isn't mentioned in your contract of employment, then it's irrelevant in your resignation.

 

[akr]

As an aside, you should really get the letter of employment detailing T&cs before you start, as that is what you are agreeing to. I hope you have in your new job. Good luck with it all, your current employer sounds unbelievably bad.

 

[Flightphoto]

It's quite funny to be honest, from the bank, I received a "conditional contract of employment" with the most vague terms used including quotes such as "from time to time you may have to go above and beyond for the business needs for no extra salary - this is to be discussed with your line manager", it's built up with shady lines of open ended requirements, pretty much like a PPI acceptance form!!!
Friday cannot come soon enough, the new employers' contract is very well written, it's straight forward and there's around 15 pages (as I will be handling sensitive info regarding TV media from the BBC and other broadcasters) so it states clearly what the terms are, there is no "might, maybe, could," it's all set out to state that any work WILL Be paid for correctly, they only have 2000 employees but they sound fantastic and pay their staff for all the hard work done

 

[big soft moose]

if anything does become sour or threats of legal action upon instant dismissal then I am happy to use the power of social media to make it clear how this employer violates employment law on a daily basis to the point that the contract is as useful as a chocolate teapot! Thanks for the advice soo far guys, it's appreciated

Do that and you really will get sued - you may be right, but remember that they are much bigger and can afford much better lawyers. Better to just grin and bear it for another weekl then bail and don't look back