Signaller, are Network Rail messing me around???

[Thunder_Dave]

Hi, read this forum a good few times in the past, always good info, so sorry if my first post is bit negative.

Applied for an 8 month FT signaller position circa mid August online, got invited to an online test, passed it, so went to a panel interview in another city. Manager called me up couple of days later and me I'd got the job and to expect a letter. Got the email attachment and upload to the NR career site on my account, then another asking me to call to schedule a medical at Bupa. Called it and booked for yet another city, turned up but apparently the nurse called in sick and they emailed me to say so. Checked my email and they never did nor did Network Rail, so I returned home, 100 round trip for nothing. Fair enough, these things happen. Called up the medical scheduling department of NR, explained what happened, they said no problem and booked it again but in another different city this time, attended and passed all hearing and tests etc.

After a few days I get a call from Network Rail asking if I'd sent back the letter from after the interview, said I never got it must have been due to me moving, gave them my new address and they sent again. When it arrived I sent it back, all the forms, pension, bank stuff etc.

Now I applied as said mid August but the interview was in September time and the medical after that, I last called them on December 20th and they said all is good, we're just waiting for the referee they spoke with to send back the details and we'll get your start date out to you. Its now another another 4 weeks later and still not heard a thing from them and last update for the position on their site was Nov 23rd. I checked my salary and acceptance letter again and the end date for this post is March 31st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My question is, how can I do this job now if it finishes in about 9 weeks and the training at the centre takes 9 weeks? Have they made a mistake in the end date on the letter or are they just fobbing me off and not wanting to tell me there is no job now? Hoping I go away.

I've heard the process takes a long time and even longer for train drivers but if this is the case and they haven't had the decency to let me know then I'll be disappointed to say the least, having spent money to get to various appointments for them and turned down other jobs for it. Would they really do this. Not sure weather to give them another call end of January or just leave it now, see no way how I can start this. Applied thinking I'd be getting 8 months salary and as time got on I worried about only getting 2-3 months money but its looking like I won't even get that. Now the only fault I see I've made is not giving them in the interview my new address due to all the nerves/excitement or calling them after to update, thinking the redirected post would catch it, however I did tell them on the application and it was discussed in the interview itself too, as I was moving closer to the job, On the phone they mentioned no problem with this. This is my first experience with Network Rail or any rail type job.

Thanks so much for any pointers.

 

[bassethound77]

I've applied for a signallers job with Network Rail too about 2 weeks ago, did the online test 1 week ago now just waiting to see if I've passed. My post was in York

 

[carriageline]

Give them a ring Dave. If they have given you the formal (written) offer, I would be very surprised if they backed out now. Don't worry about hassling them, squeaky wheel gets the oil.

With regards to finish dates etc, take them with a pinch of salt. Did they say why it was only a FTC until March? To put it into perspective, I was offered a FTC signaller role, which ended 24 days after signalling school ended, so wouldn't even of passed out in the box. Luckily I was offered a full time position else where, and the person who got the FTC was offered a full time contract at the end of the fixed term.

It could be a few things, they may be waiting for a signalling course to come up is one of them. Plus, the course is generally 13 weeks long now.

But as I said, give them a call first thing tomorrow. I have normally found them a helpful bunch, and you will find out where it's at. I know they have been very busy over xmas so they may of been delayed.

 

[TomBoyd]

Get back in touch with them?

When was the last time you spoke to HR?

 

[mac]

That is slow, where did you apply for?

 

[55018ballymoss]

Do not be put off by the fixed term contract.
A lot of jobs are being advertised like this currently with the changes coming up in the next few years, and the fixed term contracts are rolled over and over. End dates just make Human Resources' life easier...
However, keep after HR, it sounds like you are virtually signed up, and with the paperwork done, you will be given a start date.
From experience, I applied for my first role in the August, and it took until the January before I started...

 

[carriageline]

FTCs are normally put in so that vacancies can be left open for displaced signallers have somewhere to go when the boxes close, and some cover secondments/maternity leave etc. The rest are normally because that's when the box actually closes.

And regardless, if it gives you time to get in and get rules trained your laughing. Plus, the internal list is much more populated and less applicants so much easier to find a permanent role.

 

[Thunder_Dave]

Just an update on this....

Logged in to the Network Rail site the other day and seen the status has suddenly changed to 'Application Withdrawn' after being on 'formal offer accepted pre employment checks underway' for ages, around Christmas time. Now I did receive an email from them early March saying my pre employment checks are completed and all good and that they'll be in touch with a start date, this was sent to both me and the line manager. Got another email from recruitment only 15 days or so ago saying its all good but they don't have any signaller course dates at the minute and they'll email back when they do. Then suddenly this. Spoke to them on the phone about a month or so a go a couple of times and they said all was fine it does take time.

I know I didn't withdraw my application so guessing it means the same as offer withdrawn, IE they have.

Can't believe it to be honest, feel really messed around and then just dumped, especially as the positive contact from them regarding a course start date came much after my original post on here with initial doubts. No letter, no email, no attachment, just two words and that's that. The positive is I have done the medical now and online test so won't have to do that for other jobs I apply for but the way they kept teasing me right through to even this month then just took it away, all contract and pension papers signed and everything, just makes me feel they could do it again for other posts I drive all round the country for!! Was actually well over nerves and getting all excited for the start of signaller school.

They'll be getting a call this week as not happy to say the least.

 

[TomBoyd]

Don't go in guns blazing, it might just be an admin error. Just be polite, ask your questions.

 

[carriageline]

Yeah just ring up and ask. It may of been a mistake! I have had it before

 

[High Dyke]

By all means contact the HR team and make polite enquires about the situation. Though it doesn't surprise me... Some current signallers have been successful in applying for other positions, but as they haven't been released within the timescale of the FTC they've had the job withdrawn.

As resignalling schemes continue to flounder through lack of money then the job situation for current staff is not improving, never mind for new starters. With about 400 current signallers displaced it doesn't bode well.

 

[Thunder_Dave]

Cheers guys, advice noted! Especially the guns blazing bit.

 

[Railman]

One thing that always amazes me is the complete incompetence of the HR section at Network Rail, and I am talking from a full time staff point of view. DO NOT ASSUME THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. They have created an empire that has no bounds. Keep on top of them, get names and keep sending in emails. Trust No one.

 

[CatfordCat]

Yes - don't burn bridges. This could be a blunder.

I applied for something with NR a year or two back (not a signaller) - got interviewed, waited, rung to enquire just in case a communication had got lost, assured it was still under consideration, then got a 'no thanks' e-mail.

Then a couple of weeks later got a phone call from the hiring manager inviting me to a second interview - I expressed surprise, and he said something 'off message' about HR.

Was offered the job, but said no in the end (in large part because they wanted me to move house before starting, which I had been willing to do and had said so from the start, but they could not provide anything on paper that I could give to a potential landlord until after I'd started...)

:roll:

 

[plastictaffy]

One thing that always amazes me is the complete incompetence of the HR section at Network Rail, and I am talking from a full time staff point of view. DO NOT ASSUME THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. They have created an empire that has no bounds. Keep on top of them, get names and keep sending in emails. Trust No one.

Not just Nitwit Rail - this advice applies to any HR department on the railway!!!

 

[TomBoyd]

cheers guys, advice noted! Especially the guns blazing bit.

i tire of waiting! I thirst for ... An update!