it was a COT3 through Acas, does that make a difference? and if i went to court would it be in my favor that in the first instance i was not after money but just a simple reference so i could get on with my career. Thanks

Hi guys I was after some advice, i lost my job back in december which then led to a tribunal case against my ex employer and it went to acas conciliation in which a compromise agreement was reached whereby any request for references would be supplied in a agreed format that would not state my reason for leaving. I have just recently applied for a job which i was offered pending a reference however the job offer was then taken away as they had a received a reference which was not satisfactory, the manager for the new company said he felt sorry and that he would supply me with a copy of the reference, which he did, and it clearly states my reason for dismissal. What can i do now??? i have been unemployed for over 9 months and the first job offer i get and they ruin it for me, i am also afraid as i went to another interview and was also offered the job pending a reference.... Does anybody know where i stand legally against my ex employer they are a very big retailer and i do not have any money to take legal action, where can i go? what can i do?? i am currently claiming jobseekers allowance and hate doing so I initially took the action against my ex employer through a tribunal not for money but just for a reference as i had worked for them for over 7 years and felt that was the minimum they could do, i am worried sick now that i will not be able to find a job and it has really stressed me out, and for the interviews where i have been and have been honest about my reason for leaving they have just knocked me back straightaway (i was dismissed for gross misconduct) but in my previous position i was an extremely successful manager but now it just seems its all over, because of a mistake.

Hi thanks Ali for your input it is greatly appreciated, the reference is all i,m after i have responded back to their initial wording requesting that they give me further assurances to which i will post their answer to as soon as they respond.

Hi i really would like to thank everybody for their help, the respondent has replied with the reference below and the promise that they will never give an oral reference is there anything else that i can ask for over and above in the reference e.g timekeeping, Our ref: XXXXXX xx March 2009 Strictly Private and Confidential To Whom It May Concern Dear Sir or Madam Re: Mr. XXXXX XXXX – Employment Reference Date employment commenced: XX XX XXXX Final position held: XXXXX Manager Date of leaving: XX XX XXXX The information outlined above is strictly confidential and without legal liability. Kind regards Name Colleague Services XXXXXXX XXXX PLC Xxxx x x x x xx x Xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx I really would like to stress how grateful i am for everybody's help, i would like to take it all the way to tribunal but i do not have the strength to do so and am on verge of loosing my house so i need to get a job fairly quickly as i,ve been unemployed for 3 months already and i cant cope financially.

hi the Et is in the stage of concilliation with ACAS .....i will add more as soon as i hear back from acas, i,m having to represent myself and it is all quite daunting

hi just an update, i submitted the ET1 form and the claim was taken on/accepted at the tribunal office and since then i have been in touch with the ACAS concilliator and i stated that i was after a clean reference, to which the respondent replied that they were prepared to supply a reference stating the dates i worked at the company and my job title and that they would leave off the reason why i was dismissed, is that the most reasonable reference i can expect or can i push for more?? i had a extremely great record within the company for 6 and half years until this incident any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks

Hi how do i find out if i had a contract of employment and to retrieve my employment file from my employer that i have been dismissed from

what happens after i submit the ET1?

hi i sent all my details to my house policy provider to claim under the insurance for legal cover and they have replied back stating that they cannot help "I understand that your claim relates to your dismissal by your employer for an alleged act of theft. Under the terms of your policy any claim in relation to your alleged dishonesty is not covered.Therefore your claim is excluded under the terms of your policy. what do i do now? are the NO WIN NO FEE SOLICITORS any good or can someone recommend me a good one, would i be entitled to legal aid?

well recieved a etter today and appeal was not allowed ...where can i go next?

surfer the reason why i stated what i did is because i worked for the above said retailer for over 7 years in a senior management position and so yes i know the store can take i up as i have done in the past...... XSVLY ...email your issue to customer services labelled for the attention of the directors office there is no external email address..

Hi First things first...YOU ARE COVERED....so not to worry there ...which store did you go to? Take it up with the store, in order of ...Sales Manager.....Store Manager ...document everything you have said....any half decent manager will take this up for you...if you have no luck there ....Put it into writing and send it to Comet head office in hull marked for the attention of the directors office via recorded delivery ...you will get a response... If you need anymore advice dont hesitate to ask SAM

hi yes i did have a representative with me it was another manager from another store....why does it take that long for them to respond? if they decide to not overturn the decision would this be a good case for an employment tribunal?

Hi guys these are the reasons for appeal that i put forward today 1.I have offered to repay the value of the voucher as soon as i had realised a mistake had been made 2. My excellent record with ***** and exceptional character has not been taken into account 3.The extremely difficult circumstances that i was working under (a) Lack Of a manager (b) No formal training © staff shortages/absence (d)Inadequate procedures (e)Lack of support from my manager who was not following official company procedure The recviewing manager said that he would be contacting me within two weeks? is that a normal length of time for a response?

hi just to clarify my arrest has nothing to do with the allegation in the disciplinary hearing but to do with a missing product the day before my initial hearing for this, but thy felt the need to question me about it in my investigatory hearing for this dismissal which i think is unfair as the two had nothing to do with each other? Also there was another colleague that was suspended for gift card usuage but is now back at work with i think a final written warning and yet he has been with the company only 2yrs and myself 6yrs, how can i find out what happened to him?