Work References

[Zarathustra]

Is there anyone who knows what the labour law says about providing references in regards to ex-employees?!?

More specifically, what an ex-employer can say or not say when contacted for a reference?!?

 

[lumpyza]

im sure they can say what they want to about you... thats why its always good to leave a company without burning any bridges... seems like you just got a call to say your application was unsuccessful due to references?....

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

im sure they can say what they want to about you... thats why its always good to leave a company without burning any bridges... seems like you just got a call to say your application was unsuccessful due to references?....

No. IIRC (can't ask the ex because we're not on speaking terms), they're not allowed to give you a bad reference. The worst they can do is simply confirm your employment.

 

[ChilliGirl]

You may not give a bad reference on paper.

All you say then is x person worked for you from y to z dates.

Then wish them well in their future endevours...

Sign..

Or you could land in hot water.

 

[Beachless]

Like the others said, no badmouthing is allowed.

But when a company has to choose between candidates the one with good references will get the job over the one with a no comment reference.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Like the others said, no badmouthing is allowed.

But when a company has to choose between candidates the one with good references will get the job over the one with a no comment reference.

Hard to tell. Some companies have a policy about references where they simply confirm employment for everyone who leaves, regardless of their performance. Often times they're just bitter about losing employees.

 

[hashbrown99]

I've encountered recruiters who will ask you "Would you re-employ?"

A simple no tells them that there were issues and that hiring you is risky - no bad mouthing required

 

[chrisc]

No, you just have to give them a certificate on request. I always side-step the question "would you re-employ" by answering "my operation is completely different now and I only employ technical staff" or a similar excuse. If I had a query about someone I fired for taking drugs, I would hint that this person might have had a medical condition that he needs to recover from.

I had a locksmith who was injecting himself with cocaine and got rid of him. 2 months later he is applying for a maintenance engineer job at an office building. I suggested to the guy on the phone from the building owner that he might test his aptitude with tools and when asked what I meant, told him that so and so had difficulty in holding tools without shaking, and it wasn't because the tools were heavy. It had never occurred to him. Even HR guys can be gullible it seems

 

[KalMaverick]

As far as I know they are allowed to say whatever they want as long as it's true and relevant.

Saying you weren't suited for your previous job or maybe that they wouldn't hire you again might seem like 'bad reference' it's not badmouthing. There is no law against 'bad references' as far as I know and unless someone can prove otherwise, what I'll stick to.

Actually badmouthing you or lying is defamation and good luck preventing that from happening.

As most places suggest, rather leave out a person who might give a bad reference, not the ideal option but better than the alternative.

 

[ChilliGirl]

As far as I know they are allowed to say whatever they want as long as it's true and relevant.

Saying you weren't suited for your previous job or maybe that they wouldn't hire you again might seem like 'bad reference' it's not badmouthing. There is no law against 'bad references' as far as I know and unless someone can prove otherwise, what I'll stick to.

Actually badmouthing you or lying is defamation and good luck preventing that from happening.

As most places suggest, rather leave out a person who might give a bad reference, not the ideal option but better than the alternative.

It changed a few years ago...

You may not give a bad reference.

 

[NeonNinja]

What if the prospective asks 'what terminated the contract'? Then they're compelled to tell the truth?