Page 1 of 1
Can I report my former employer
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2026 9:52 am
by Didi_ampal
I recently quit working in childcare. Been out of it for two months now. Here's where the issue begins, I've accumulated certificates for the past 3 years I've worked in that centre. Now recently I contacted them if I can get said folder, only to learn they've thrown it away. No warning or even informing me to get it. I had original certificates in that that folder and I didn't have copies as they were from collages and workshops.
Now I'm wondering what steps I can take to report them about this.
Re: Can I report my former employer
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2026 2:28 pm
by Lorina
That’s a really tough situation and unfortunately not unheard of in our sector. Educators put years into building their professional portfolios, and those certificates are more than just paper—they're compliance evidence, proof of qualifications, and part of our professional identity.
Here are some steps you can take:
-Document everything: Keep a record of when you contacted the centre, who you spoke with, and their response confirming the folder was discarded.
- Contact training providers: Most colleges, universities, and workshop organisers can reissue certificates or statements of attainment. There may be a fee, but it’s worth securing replacements.
- Report the incident: You can raise this with your state Department of Education or ACECQA. Centres are expected to manage educator records responsibly, and discarding originals without notice is poor practice.
- Seek support: Professional associations like Early Childhood Australia.
- Safeguard for the future: Always keep personal copies (digital and hard copy).
- Ask centres to hold certified copies rather than originals, and consider cloud storage for your professional documents.
This isn’t just about your certificates—it's about the sector recognising that educator records deserve the same respect as children’s documentation. Throwing them away without notice undermines trust and compliance.
You absolutely have grounds to report this, and doing so helps highlight the need for stronger policies around educator record management.
,
Lorina
Re: Can I report my former employer
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2026 8:09 am
by Sevarica
I completely agree with what has already been written above — the situation is really unpleasant and looks at least careless on the part of the employer. Such things cannot be simply taken and thrown away without warning, especially when it comes to original documents that people have collected for years.
It is correct that they advise to document everything and contact organizations to restore certificates — this is the most rational step now. But at the same time, it is important not to leave it without a reaction, because otherwise such cases will be repeated. You can play this game together — if they do not follow the elementary rules, you have every right to raise this issue at an official level.
I hope you will manage to at least partially restore the documents and at the same time force them to reconsider their approaches to storing such important things.