We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

can a company give you a Bad reference from a job

Options
2»

Comments

  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you're going to change to using HR for reference purposes, it's best to phone and find out what their policy is. If you're not too late to go for unfair dismissal, they may enter into a compromise agreement whereby you agree NOT to do that, and they agree what they'll say in your reference.
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you have a friend who's brave enough you could have him or her call up your old employer and ask for a reference. That way you'd know exactly what was being said about you and could react accordingly.

    Lots of employers now will refuse to give references on the phone.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • jdturk
    jdturk Posts: 1,636 Forumite
    olly300 wrote: »
    Lots of employers now will refuse to give references on the phone.

    I think they meant to fake being a company and get a written one sent to them
    Always ask ACAS
  • sexki11en wrote: »
    In that case, your new employer will likely receive a reference that states start date, end date, reason for leaving:Sacked/dismissed. No further information. If I got that for a reference from a prospective employee, i'd revoke the offer, especially if nothing had been mentioned to me about it by the employee.

    It really is best to be honest about it in my opinion. If it was unfair, why wasn't it taken to a tribunal? Then nothing detrimental can be written on a reference (assuming you won - which if it was unfair, you should)

    SK x

    i didnt no i could take it to a tribunal until it was to late . , i have been open and honest when going for interviews , ( the few that ive managed to get ) . its just annoying as ive got good qualifactions and im hard working but cant seem to get a change,. to prove it anywhere . its been over a year since i last worked and its very downhearting .
    the man came to the river and it was there.:beer:
  • If you have a friend who's brave enough you could have him or her call up your old employer and ask for a reference. That way you'd know exactly what was being said about you and could react accordingly.


    i could do that now theres an idea :-):)
    the man came to the river and it was there.:beer:
  • RosaBernicia
    RosaBernicia Posts: 4,909 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I'm not convinced that setting up a fake request is entirely a good idea - they are supposed to check that they don't give out your details to just anyone! You might find that you get a phone call asking whether you're sure this person should have your employment information!

    You can ask to see your records under the Data Protection Act, but I haven't found a clear answer whether this would include the references they gave about you - they might be able to withhold it if they think giving it would identify the person who wrote it, so it will depend on their policy about how references are done. Perhaps it would be worth calling head office to ask about their policy so you know what references are being given, and then you can think about whether you want to push to change it or see previous ones.

    Good luck

    Rosa xx
    Debt free May 2016... DFW#2 in progress
    Campervan paid off summer '21... MFW progress tbc
  • I'm not convinced that setting up a fake request is entirely a good idea - they are supposed to check that they don't give out your details to just anyone! You might find that you get a phone call asking whether you're sure this person should have your employment information!

    You can ask to see your records under the Data Protection Act, but I haven't found a clear answer whether this would include the references they gave about you - they might be able to withhold it if they think giving it would identify the person who wrote it, so it will depend on their policy about how references are done. Perhaps it would be worth calling head office to ask about their policy so you know what references are being given, and then you can think about whether you want to push to change it or see previous ones.

    Good luck

    Rosa xx


    that sounds like a better and more sensible idea rosa , thank you x:D
    the man came to the river and it was there.:beer:
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker

    You can ask to see your records under the Data Protection Act, but I haven't found a clear answer whether this would include the references they gave about you - they might be able to withhold it if they think giving it would identify the person who wrote it, so it will depend on their policy about how references are done.

    Under the DPA they are legally obliged to give you references from previous employers but are not obliged to give you the reference that they gave to others about you.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.