mikkim

My husband proved his experience without telling his boss but he had kept all his letters of employment/promotion, enclosed a copy of his contract and a job description from HR dept. page on the company website.

So I suppose it depends on how big the company you work for is and how much work related documents you keep.

Bucks_Family

Thanks for that :-) Ours is a complicated situation because I've effectivly worked for the same boss and with the same people for 12 years, but the "company" as a whole is on its third owner in that time. It seems I don't actually have a written contract per se, which makes life more difficult while I try to get them to write one for me without raising suspicions!

tonyorei

hi, why not get your uncle in canada to sponsor you using the alberta family stream,my aunt is sponsoring me and just sent my paperwork off ....have a look at the alberta canada immigration website, to me it was a lot less hassle than the point system

rubberduckofdeath

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the post. Unfortunately, he's a resident of NS so can't help us with our desire to move to Alberta. Never mind!

Our application was received at Sydney, yesterday

DandNHill

You should be able to ask for a contract as by law they must provide a written contract to any employee within three months of the start of the contract. Can't you therefore just say you need one for your records?

Bucks_Family

Thanks - but a bit of googling this morning seems to suggest that contracts don't have to be written, although of course commonly they are. When I asked HR about this, the response was that I don't have a personal contract in writing, but I do have a "Company Handbook" (which is true, I do have this) and this is "contractual" in so much as it outlines my hours of work, paternity benefits, notice period etc.. It's just that this is generic for all employees rather than personal to me. There was no obligation for the company to give me a written contract, when the company was taken over my terms and conditions were protected by TUPE legislation. It's not been an issue.. until now

DandNHill

It looks as though we are using the wrong words. Its a statement of your employment that you need...
This is what the direct gov website states:
Written statement of employment particulars
If you are an employee who has been working for your employer for longer than one month, you have the right to receive a written statement of employment particulars. This must be provided by your employer within two months of you starting, even if you are going to work for them for less than two months. The written statement will set out some of your main employment rights.

Or business link
Who is entitled to receive a written statement?
All employees - ie individuals working under a contract of service - are entitled to receive a written statement if their employment is going to last for one month or more.

The only exceptions are employees whose employment began before 30 November 1993 - they are only entitled to a written statement if they request it.

They may request a written statement at any time during their employment or up to three months after it ends.

Individuals who are not employees - eg independent contractors, freelancers and agency workers - are not entitled to a written statement.

Hope that helps

Bucks_Family

Thanks again - that business link snippet looks very useful in particular, I'll go and have a look in more detail, that could be just what I need

raymasa

Another option might be to tell your employer that you are looking to do a university course on a part time basis and they need a reference letter. This prticularly works if you tell them you are applying for an MBA at various universities and just need a reference letter addressed to 'Whom it may concern'.

Ray