Evidence of a career break for compliance

[User12345]

I took some time off work for personal reasons (house renovations, taking a break, learning new skills etc). I’ve now been asked to provide a character reference with a business e-mail address to evidence my career break. I left one job, took time out and started a new job.

I’m so confused how I’m meant to evidence this, and this an actual requirement for EAA compliance, or a career break sufficient, or have I worded it wrong my CV?

[BrilloPad]

I took some time off work for personal reasons (house renovations, taking a break, learning new skills etc). I’ve now been asked to provide a character reference with a business e-mail address to evidence my career break. I left one job, took time out and started a new job.

I’m so confused how I’m meant to evidence this, and this an actual requirement for EAA compliance, or a career break sufficient, or have I worded it wrong my CV?

Have you asked them?

[ladymuck]

You're over thinking it.

All they need is someone to vouch for you for the time you took off. The person doing the vetting will say whether it needs to be a professional or personal reference. The professional will essentially be someone of 'good standing', there's a standard list like doctors, solicitors etc but it's quite broad. A personal reference will just that - someone who knows you but isn't family.

All they will be asked is to confirm that they know you, and how long for, and to state that the information you've provided about your career break is correct.

It's a bit like the "are you a communist" question they used to have on landing cards for the US. They trust you to tell the truth but if you're caught lying, you're out.

[northernladuk]

You're over thinking it.

All they need is someone to vouch for you for the time you took off. The person doing the vetting will say whether it needs to be a professional or personal reference. The professional will essentially be someone of 'good standing', there's a standard list like doctors, solicitors etc but it's quite broad. A personal reference will just that - someone who knows you but isn't family.

All they will be asked is to confirm that they know you, and how long for, and to state that the information you've provided about your career break is correct.

It's a bit like the "are you a communist" question they used to have on landing cards for the US. They trust you to tell the truth but if you're caught lying, you're out.

I can confirm LM's answer is of suitable quality to be taken as good advice.

[Paralytic]

I took some time off work for personal reasons (house renovations, taking a break, learning new skills etc). I’ve now been asked to provide a character reference with a business e-mail address to evidence my career break. I left one job, took time out and started a new job.

I’m so confused how I’m meant to evidence this, and this an actual requirement for EAA compliance, or a career break sufficient, or have I worded it wrong my CV?

Send them before and after pictures of your newly renovated house.

And, what LM said.

[ladymuck]

Send them before and after pictures of your newly renovated house.

And, what LM said.

Should have gotten themselves onto one of those home renovating daytime TV shows.

[Aloha1]

evidence of gap

Provide some sample emails of what you were up to. they are normally looking for proof you were not in Jail.

[hobnob]

Just to echo what other people have said, I had something similar a couple of years ago, after I'd been on the bench for 3 months. In my case, the client/agency wanted someone who'd known me for 5 years but wasn't family, just to vouch for the fact that I was out of work. (They don't need any details about what you were doing during that time, e.g. house renovations.)

I assume that the "business email address" requirement is just to stop you creating a throwaway Gmail account as a sock puppet. I.e. if the company's domain is likely to be active in the future, they could contact that company if the info turned out to be false, and hold the other person accountable.

Mind you, I imagine that lockdown is going to make this more difficult. If you haven't actually seen someone in person for several months, how do they know for certain what you've been doing?

[Eirikur]

Just let your accountant confirm (if you have one)

[Andyat6prog]

Unless it is for a permanent job then it really isn't something that should have any bearing on your relationship.

I asked a taxi driver if it was a busy night and he said he hadn't had many fares so I didn't get in that taxi. I asked the plumber if I could see their business diary to confirm they had consistent custom... etc

You run your own business. You choose how often to work.

end of.

Re checking you haven't been in prison they can check in a number of normal ways. Not by prying into your private life.
Depending on how much you want the job ...

print off copies of the bbc schedule for the period and then annotate each programme you watched with a rating and a review. Tell them you were a couch potato but you know all the words to Agatha Christies films and are an expert on Bargain Hunt.