A career as a train driver

[Amnesiac]

From what I can remember, you can’t be given a “bad” reference.

They can, but it must be fair and accurate which is probably why most just give dates or refuse as it's a bit of a minefield to prove

 

[Tyg]

I get that. But my worry is the toc will pull my contract, if it does happen but will the toc give me a chance to tell my side or just show me the door?

 

[driver333]

Im hoping they will, but if they don't where do I stand? Will the toc give me an opportunity to explain etc or just pull the contract?

^^ correct, they cannot give you a negative reference as can be classed as defaming.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2025 ==

I get that. But my worry is the toc will pull my contract, if it does happen but will the toc give me a chance to tell my side or just show me the door?

In relation to if they found it out, then why not be upfront in your reference list. As they won’t hear your side

 

[stbtraindriver]

For anyone who did their MMI recently how do you think it went !!!

 

[d44nny]

For anyone who did their MMI recently how do you think it went !!!

I feel as if I did ok. I keep going over my answers and don't think id of changed anything. It was intense was glad when it had finished

 

[Edgar Ætheling]

I get that. But my worry is the toc will pull my contract, if it does happen but will the toc give me a chance to tell my side or just show me the door?

I don't think a TOC would engage in a conversation with you about your references as you are not yet in a contractual relationship. If they don't get one from the employer in question, or not hundred percent satisfied with the content they are more likely to ask you for another one rather than asking you to explain yourself.

But overall I suggest not to worry. As many pointed out above, any sensible company big enough to have an HR department, or even just an HR admin, will refuse to say anything qualitative in their reference.

I hope you'll enjoy your training.

 

[Tyg]

I don't think a TOC would engage in a conversation with you about your references as you are not yet in a contractual relationship. If they don't get one from the employer in question, or not hundred percent satisfied with the content they are more likely to ask you for another one rather than asking you to explain yourself.

But overall I suggest not to worry. As many pointed out above, any sensible company big enough to have an HR department, or even just an HR admin, will refuse to say anything qualitative in their reference.

I hope you'll enjoy your training.

Unfortunately the reference is from a very small company of just 6 employees, I can happily give the TOC another reference but im just hoping against hope they A. Don't say anything about being dismissed or B. If they do the toc will give me an opportunity to get another reference

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2025 ==

I don't think a TOC would engage in a conversation with you about your references as you are not yet in a contractual relationship. If they don't get one from the employer in question, or not hundred percent satisfied with the content they are more likely to ask you for another one rather than asking you to explain yourself.

But overall I suggest not to worry. As many pointed out above, any sensible company big enough to have an HR department, or even just an HR admin, will refuse to say anything qualitative in their reference.

I hope you'll enjoy your training.

But thank you for your response

 

[Bubba]

^^ correct, they cannot give you a negative reference as can be classed as defaming.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2025 ==

Thats incorrect. A former employer can give a reference which states they sacked the former employee and state the reason why if it is factual. Defaming is only in play if something said about someone is damaging to their reputation AND (most importantly) false.

 

[Tyg]

My old company have said they can either fill it in which will be negative or refuse to fill it in, not sure on my best option really

 

[driverd]

My old company have said they can either fill it in which will be negative or refuse to fill it in, not sure on my best option really

Admittedly this is a little late now, but why did you give them as a reference? In the future, would it not be safer to use your previous employer and then maybe an academic or character reference?

Personally I'd reach out to the manager who you've been given as a point of contact and speak with them.

 

[Tyg]

Admittedly this is a little late now, but why did you give them as a reference? In the future, would it not be safer to use your previous employer and then maybe an academic or character reference?

Personally I'd reach out to the manager who you've been given as a point of contact and speak with them.

I needed 3 years and ive put my current who are more than happy to give a reference and my old employer from whom I was dismissed due to lack of performance, there were mitigating factors such as I was unhappy and underpaid so whilst seeking new employment they sacked me. Theyre now either going to give me a reference but that will lead to a negative reference as i was dismissed, or theyre going to send it back blank, i dont know what to do? The toc hr have said, we'll just pull your contract if its negative, so im hoping that HR will let me give my side of the story rather than just showing me the door after all this work,

 

[GiordyRail]

I get that. But my worry is the toc will pull my contract, if it does happen but will the toc give me a chance to tell my side or just show me the door?

I needed 3 years and ive put my current who are more than happy to give a reference and my old employer from whom I was dismissed due to lack of performance, there were mitigating factors such as I was unhappy and underpaid so whilst seeking new employment they sacked me. Theyre now either going to give me a reference but that will lead to a negative reference as i was dismissed, or theyre going to send it back blank, i dont know what to do? The toc hr have said, we'll just pull your contract if its negative, so im hoping that HR will let me give my side of the story rather than just showing me the door after all this work,

Lad I've been fired from previous jobs, honestly they never ask why you're fired. When I worked in recruitment I used to call previous employeers and legally they weren't allowed to tell me why someone was fired just the dates they worked. Don't stress about this

 

[Tyg]

Lad I've been fired from previous jobs, honestly they never ask why you're fired. When I worked in recruitment I used to call previous employeers and legally they weren't allowed to tell me why someone was fired just the dates they worked. Don't stress about this

They have declined to give me a reference

 

[Twotwo]

They have declined to give me a reference

I had an employer refuse to give a reference (they were bitter I left before my notice period) so all current company wanted to know was the dates I worked for that company so basically try and find your first and last pay slip.

 

[Tyg]

Hopefully im worrying over nothing. But thats what's got me worried ngl

 

[Kay_M]

Hopefully im worrying over nothing. But thats what's got me worried ngl

Do you have someone from your previous company that you worked alongside with that can vouch for you in a positive light. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a manager giving you a reference it could be someone in the business that you know that you've helped them with on a project as an example.

 

[Tyg]

Do you have someone from your previous company that you worked alongside with that can vouch for you in a positive light. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a manager giving you a reference it could be someone in the business that you know that you've helped them with on a project as an example.

Ive put down an old work colleague as a personal reference but thats it.... I have 3 other professional references that are positive just 1 that's refused to give one

 

[Kay_M]

Ive put down an old work colleague as a personal reference but thats it.... I have 3 other professional references that are positive just 1 that's refused to give one

If they worked at the organisation that you're worried that you might get a bad reference from then you can put the individual from that workplace as a professional reference as you worked with them in the organisation despite the way you left the place (if that makes sense). I'll PM more things in detail

 

[GiordyRail]

They have declined to give me a reference

Just find a payslip that proves you worked there

 

[Tyg]

Just find a payslip that proves you worked there

Ok, ill try and find them, hopefully it'll be ok, genuinely worried sick ill lose my contract now after the old company being Aholes..... declined reference isn't a negative reference though so hoping it'll be ok

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2025 ==

I had an employer refuse to give a reference (they were bitter I left before my notice period) so all current company wanted to know was the dates I worked for that company so basically try and find your first and last pay slip.

Curiosity, was it a 3rd party that did your references or the toc themselves?

 

[Twotwo]

Ok, ill try and find them, hopefully it'll be ok, genuinely worried sick ill lose my contract now after the old company being Aholes..... declined reference isn't a negative reference though so hoping it'll be ok

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2025 ==


Curiosity, was it a 3rd party that did your references or the toc themselves?

3rd party. Most tocs use a 3rd party so there is nothing to be worried about. They reached out to me as they couldn't get a reference from my last company and just asked me to provide my first and last payslip to confirm the dates I worked there.

 

[Tyg]

3rd party. Most tocs use a 3rd party so there is nothing to be worried about. They reached out to me as they couldn't get a reference from my last company and just asked me to provide my first and last payslip to confirm the dates I worked there.

That makes me feel better, genuinely, thank you, I know for a fact they've just refused my reference so if they give me an opportunity to prove it another way ill be happy, or just ignore it as ive put 2 references covering 3 years.

 

[GiordyRail]

3rd party. Most tocs use a 3rd party so there is nothing to be worried about. They reached out to me as they couldn't get a reference from my last company and just asked me to provide my first and last payslip to confirm the dates I worked there.

Same that happened to me as well

 

[Tyg]

Same that happened to me as well

You were ok? The toc accepted your references through proof?

 

[GiordyRail]

You were ok? The toc accepted your references through proof?

Yep, it was accepted as proof I worked somewhere

 

[Tyg]

Yep, it was accepted as proof I worked somewhere

Makes me worry a bit less, the previous refused a reference my current employer have given me a glowing references but ive obtained proof I worked there via p45 bank statements and hmrc tax codes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2025 ==

Makes me worry a bit less, the previous refused a reference my current employer have given me a glowing references but ive obtained proof I worked there via p45 bank statements and hmrc tax codes.

Well the previous company have told me they've refused..... not the 3rd party yet, still waiting to hear

 

[railman208]

Need some advice, reached the last part of internal train driver assessment/interview process with one part left to go and I may have permanently screwed myself in the process. Don't want to say too much but the final interview is not too far and I screwed something up at work by not reporting it. Now I'm wondering if it's worth continuing to the interview stage and potentially losing a life or just withdrawing and waiting for another long several years for another vacancy and figure out a way round this permanent blemish. Seems they're really looking for more drivers this round of vacancies this time and I don't know what is the better option.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Need some advice, reached the last part of internal train driver assessment/interview process with one part left to go and I may have permanently screwed myself in the process. Don't want to say too much but the final interview is not too far and I screwed something up at work by not reporting it. Now I'm wondering if it's worth continuing to the interview stage and potentially losing a life or just withdrawing and waiting for another long several years for another vacancy and figure out a way round this permanent blemish. Seems they're really looking for more drivers this round of vacancies this time and I don't know what is the better option.

You dont lose a life for failing a driver manager interview, only interview that costs a life is the mmi.

 

[Stigy]

I have recently passed all the tests for a trainee train driver role. Start date is proposed 1st December and my medical will be close to the time so at this stage I have just received a verbal offer. I am slightly worried about the timeframe between now and December as they can withdraw at any time they proposed in the email, has anyone else waited a long time?

Railway recruitment is notoriously lengthy. Technically offers can be withdrawn at any time up to the start date, but it’s generally unlikely unless things change with the business need such as contracts being lost etc,

 

[railman208]

You dont lose a life for failing a driver manager interview, only interview that costs a life is the mmi.

I believe the final interview is the mmi the because the previous interview I had was with driver managers. I've talked to a couple of people and they're not sure what I should do. One said call up HR and see what they say. Line manager is not sure either. Got about a month before it.