References?

EdJRobinson

Ive seen on here that previous employers dont have to provide a reference but are they allowed to provide a bad reference? Also, I was in my last job for 3.5 years and when asked to provide 2 references on applications, can I put down the HR department (for the company standard reference) and my supervisor (who knows how I work, strengths etc) as my job before this last one is completely irrelevant to any job Im ever going to apply for?

Thanks!

Emmzi

if bad = factual then yes they can give a bad reference

me, I'd want last 2 employers but there is no universal standard

Vejovis

yes they can give a bad reference as long as it's truthful.

KiKi

Yes, they can give a bad reference as long as it's factual.

You may not have a choice in who you give out as references - most companies will stipulate they want a reference from your previous 1 / 2 / 3 employers.

KiKi

EdJRobinson

Thanks for the quick responses. Seems like I might be up the proverbial creek without a paddle on references then unless I opt not to go down the HR route as I know my previous supervisor will give me a good reference.

Thanks once again!

LadyMissA

EdJRobinson wrote: »

Thanks for the quick responses. Seems like I might be up the proverbial creek without a paddle on references then unless I opt not to go down the HR route as I know my previous supervisor will give me a good reference.

Thanks once again!

some companies do not allow supervisors to give references. Mine comes from the head of admin and is only a standard reference as the company do not give personal ones after something happening at the company after giving someone who had left a glowing one. You may have to go via HR to be safe.

EdJRobinson

Thankfully I know my last job don't have a problem with it as I've seen her do quite a few. She wont mention me being fired either. The employed previous to that will do.

LadyMissA

EdJRobinson wrote: »

Thankfully I know my last job don't have a problem with it as I've seen her do quite a few. She wont mention me being fired either. The employed previous to that will do.

you have been sacked twice??

EdJRobinson

3 times tbh. First was due to immaturity around the office. 2nd I worked for a company installing Sky and cancelled jobs that I considered too high (have a fear of overly average heights) and last one was for gross misconduct after a stupid rant on facebook over not being paid properly for 2 months. Horrible work history.

LadyMissA

EdJRobinson wrote: »

3 times tbh. First was due to immaturity around the office. 2nd I worked for a company installing Sky and cancelled jobs that I considered too high (have a fear of overly average heights) and last one was for gross misconduct after a stupid rant on facebook over not being paid properly for 2 months. Horrible work history.

oh dear...........

EdJRobinson

LadyMissA wrote: »

oh dear...........

Exactly. The first one doesnt bother me now because I learned to change my attitude at work. The second one bothers me because I shouldn't of changed careers in the first place. The third one really annoys me because I was in line for a promotion literally the week I got sacked and I loved that job. One little rant after a bad couple of weeks and someones inability to do their job properly cost me. Facebook is the devil!