Help Been given bad reference

Googlewhacker

cheapcheap wrote: »

I didn't think your previous employer could give you a bad reference, thought they just didn't reply anymore and that informed new employer something might be wrong but gave you the chance to use another one.

No, it can be bad as long as it is truthful and factual.

SandC

Fact is what is actually stopping anyone from giving a bad reference that is opinion based only? The damage will have been done already - what exactly are the chances of an ex employee getting any come back on an ex employer if they do that?

There are still many unscrupulous people running companies these days who don't care who they trample over on their way up. One hopes they will get their come uppance but you know often they never do.

I'm sorry that this happened OP, the only thing you can do is carry on looking and perhaps see if you can get a personal address for your line managers - I'm sure they will understand why.

My company HR insist on doing the references and I don't believe they contain anything personal, ie opinion based. I think if I left I would ask my boss if I could provide his home address for a personal reference.

Savvy_Sue

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

Can I ask what you said to the new employer when they told you this was on your reference? Did you not get the chance to explain? If not, I would be tempted to get in touch with them and ask if they can get a reference from your line manager on return from holiday. Tell them that this would be more accurate and would let them know you are competent.

chan_ok wrote: »

I only use the two line managers that i worked with for references and this has never been a problem in the past, i was warned by one of the managers that i would possibly get a bad reference off the Chairman so never gave his details, it was my bad luck that both line managers are on annual leave and the request for reference was passed to Chairman

And the other moral of this story (apart from not signing off until you've actually started the new job!) is to always always check with your referees before you use them - a quick call to say "I've been interviewed for X job and they should be in touch with you soon" gives you a chance to find out if they will be around / if they are still with your old employer / if they are still willing to give a reference for you.

November5th

chan_ok wrote: »

I only use the two line managers that i worked with for references and this has never been a problem in the past, i was warned by one of the managers that i would possibly get a bad reference off the Chairman so never gave his details, it was my bad luck that both line managers are on annual leave and the request for reference was passed to Chairman who is a headcase to ! he must of took great delight in giving a bad reference. i feel this was an act of spite rather than a professional opinion and he is well known for it to.

What I will never understand is what on earth it is to an ex MD to give a bad reference out of spite. I would prefer an employee left singing my praises or at least saying nothing. Given the amount I know about my ex MD's financial situation and the reality and fraud behind his company, it does not do him well to slander me.
Slowly but surely (as I am very subtle and act pushed into confession) more and more people know the nature of his fraud...
All other companies I have worked for I sing their praises, with particular respect to the owners and managing directors.
I think he expected a quick act of revenge (beyond taking him to an ET), and when it didn't come thought he had got away with it. However revenge is a dish best served ice cold and only given the opportunity.

liubeliu

chan_ok wrote: »

I only use the two line managers that i worked with for references and this has never been a problem in the past, i was warned by one of the managers that i would possibly get a bad reference off the Chairman so never gave his details, it was my bad luck that both line managers are on annual leave and the request for reference was passed to Chairman who is a headcase to ! he must of took great delight in giving a bad reference. i feel this was an act of spite rather than a professional opinion and he is well known for it to.

was the job (and others you are going for) in the same field? Networking circles are often tighter then people imagine so prospective employers may already have an established communication pathway to your previous Chairman.

In my field we pretty much know people who work for our competitors and often socialise at events and talk.

neil277

chan_ok wrote: »

I have been out of work for 6 months now, I resigned from my last job by leaving a letter of resignation with no notice as i had a dispute with the chairman and felt his behaviour was very unprofessional but i did not state this in my letter of resignation i stated that i felt it was time to move on , i did discuss my intentions to leave with a senior manager and he felt the same as i that it was time to leave and he warned that he felt i may not get a good reference from the chairman, so i never put him down for references i use my old line manager instead, Last week i had a job interview and was given the job the very next day, i signed the contract and was due to start Monday pending satisfactory references, as you can guess the job has been withdrawn, my old line manager is on annual leave so the chairman stepped in to give references ! all i know is that my potential new employer rang me to clarify why i left my last job as it was stated that i walked out giving no notice, and also when asked would you re employ he said no due to competence.
This has lost me a dream job, and caused inconvenience as i signed off benefits when job was offered and now have to reclaim. i do not want to take my old job off my C.V as i was there for 5 years and gained a great deal of experience.
What do i do? i am so angry i feel to pay the chairman a visit and tell him what i think of him but also is there anything i can do legally, as you are not allowed to give a bad reference, but is what he said about me deemed bad?
Help please !

No one can give you a bad ref: if he is doing this then you need to hire a Private Detective and catch him this way the legal actions must be taken.

Googlewhacker

neil277 wrote: »

No one can give you a bad ref: if he is doing this then you need to hire a Private Detective and catch him this way the legal actions must be taken.

Did you just decide not to read the rest of the thread?

You CAN be given a bad referance, it just has to be FACTUAL and truthful!

Saying someone was sacked is a bad referance but if its truthful then no problem

Emmzi

neil277 wrote: »

No one can give you a bad ref: if he is doing this then you need to hire a Private Detective and catch him this way the legal actions must be taken.

a) um, yes they can
b) private detective? really? what are you asking them to investigate then?