Hey All
I am newly Qualified Social Worker who managed to secure a post within a children and families team. My references and crb all came back about two months ago now but the recruiting manager has not yet signed if off hence I can not start....... I have left the manager a few messages which non have been returned and the admin will not give the direct email address.
My problem now is should I just wait or call his/her manager ? HR have been sending reminders but still no response. On the other hand I am worried that if I call her/his manager I might have set an impression before I even start the role which will not be a true reflexion of me.
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards to all
I'm assuming that you're talking about a Local Authority setting. I'd advise you to join UNISON [if you're not already a member] and get them to back you in using the authority's grievance procedure. Based on your info, It seems that the manager is incompetent. Nothing wrong with reasonably establishing that you're not prepared to be messed around. If your manager attempted to penalise you for this in future, he/she could face charges of bullying & harassment.
What is a true reflection of you? Part of a SW role is assertive advocacy.
Would be useful to ascertain from HR if that is the ONLY piece of the process still outstanding. If so, then keep telephoning! - also ask HR what they intend to do further. You might wish to query whether that is the sort of manager ' local authority you wish to work for but in the present difficult employment climate I can understand your desire not to alienate people.
You would be quite entitled to ask to speak with the manager's direct line manager but that could harm your future emplyment relationship withe manager - a very difficult situation all round. It is nothing to do with 'advocacy' - that may a role for someone else later on if there are future problems between the manager and yourself.
Self advocacy Rupert, self advocacy.
Self-advocacy has increasingly come to be used in relation to people with learning difficulties / disabilities.
Currently, in the situation as described, I feel that 'Future social worker' needs to tread very carefully until the matter has been resolved. Self-advocacy can be dangerous without all the facts / evidence and that is why advocacy using a professional Association / Trades Union / legal adviser may be the better way forward in the future if the formal Job Offer / employment contract is not forthcoming.
If a social worker is not able to assert their own rights/needs in the best possible way, how are they going to do so for others?
By getting the job in the first place!