a query

jacklink

can you request your references from previous employers ?

i would like to know what they say

Thanks

motherhen2234

Taken for the Data Protection Website - Here

Q: I want a copy of my employment references. How do I get them? To request a copy of your references you need to make the request to the employer the references were sent to. You should make the request in writing as a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act. They will then consider if any exemptions apply and if they can release this information to you.
If you make the request to the employer responsible for providing the reference it is unlikely that you will get a copy, as they are not obliged to provide this under the Data Protection Act.

hellokitty08

Yerh or just phone the HR department at your work. They should be able to send you a copy if you ask nicely, assuming they obtained them.

jobbingmusician

Or get a friend to agree to be an address, and use that address to write to the old employer requesting references.....

POSSETTE

i do believe that they are not allowed to write anything bad about you anyway.It will only be the good points you have so i dont see the need to worry too much.

dmg24

POSSETTE wrote: »

i do believe that they are not allowed to write anything bad about you anyway.It will only be the good points you have so i dont see the need to worry too much.

You are wrong. As long as the reference is factual and balanced, the previous employer can write what they want.

POSSETTE

oh ok....sounds right!

janey_uk

Some employers have a 'policy' of not allowing you to see them. If you have had some kind of dispute with your employer and are in a union you might want to ask your union rep to request copies of your reference so you can check it is factual.