1) U can do either...but think for a sec...if the VO decides to pursue Background Checks for ur case (this usually happens before MR), then it will go to a BGC Agency-> The Agency will find you r not working at the Place u declared u were working-> This will cause delays, extra checks- possibly a telephonic verification, plus unnecessary suspicion in the VO's mind...If I were u, I'd have informed the VO by now
2) It's ur file, your future, hence u need to make ur own decisions
...I suspect ur already having doubts abt following Consultant's advice, otherwise u wud not be asking the question
3) No concern for VO..But y one earth did u send ur Original Promotion Letter??
U won't get it back...say for a future job change if u need it..I hope u have kept it Scanned...Don't u get Soft Copy promotion letters?? Speaking from my current Org experience...
4)As per my experience u get MR 55-60 Days after PER..and generally 15-20 days after 2nd line of update....Check the Avg. processing Times tab in the spreadsheet. Have u got the 2nd line Update? Once u receive it expect it within a month at most (or if it does not come within that time, then it could be a long wait as the VO probably has decided to go for extensive BGC in ur case)
ATB for MR~...