Bad reference

MissSarah1972

MiddyMum wrote: »

Maybe...and this is just a maybe that your boss tells all his new staff they got a bad reference to ensure that you will be kept in check. Now that you know there is a bad ref hanging over your head, you will more than likely try and please your boss more. It's not you fault but subconsciously you will feel like you are watching your back. Something about this " you got a bad reference but I like you anyway " doesn't sit right with me but then I am a conspiracist at heart as well. What did your new boss have to gain by telling you, you got a bad reference is the question.

IF any boss does this to keep you in check he'd not be the kind of guy I'd want to work for.

Some ex companies may think 'I will teach you a lesson for leaving us'

No one has your best interest at heart at all, you only worked for them.

ACDC1978

I honestly don't think it's my new boss as he seems straight down the line, and my ex-boss has lied on a few occasions before and been found out, one of the reasons I wanted out to be honest! And I meant rocking the boat at my new job, rather than my old one! Don't really wanna be still dwelling on this and highlighting the fact I had a bad reference when I've been lucky to get the job - if you get what I mean?

MissSarah1972

ACDC1978 wrote: »

I honestly don't think it's my new boss as he seems straight down the line, and my ex-boss has lied on a few occasions before and been found out, one of the reasons I wanted out to be honest! And I meant rocking the boat at my new job, rather than my old one! Don't really wanna be still dwelling on this and highlighting the fact I had a bad reference when I've been lucky to get the job - if you get what I mean?

yes if you are ok with the new boss thinking you are hard to motivate and always late

This may not be an issue now but going forward he may think you could end up this way.

ACDC1978

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

yes if you are ok with the new boss thinking you are hard to motivate and always late

This may not be an issue now but going forward he may think you could end up this way.

No I'm absolutely not fine with that! So you think I should fight this if I can get some solid evidence of his comments?

1940sGal

I remember being told once that it was illegal to give a bad reference. I don't know how true that is though.

Wyndham

MiddyMum wrote: »

Maybe...and this is just a maybe that your boss tells all his new staff they got a bad reference to ensure that you will be kept in check. Now that you know there is a bad ref hanging over your head, you will more than likely try and please your boss more. It's not you fault but subconsciously you will feel like you are watching your back. Something about this " you got a bad reference but I like you anyway " doesn't sit right with me but then I am a conspiracist at heart as well. What did your new boss have to gain by telling you, you got a bad reference is the question.

Oooooh - I love a good consipracy theory! :rotfl:

One other point OP, do you have a common name? I once asked for a reference for someone and it was refused, but on further investigation he was thinking of someone else entirely, and the eventual reference was positively glowing.

ACDC1978

1940sGal wrote: »

I remember being told once that it was illegal to give a bad reference. I don't know how true that is though.

I heard that but looked into it this morning, it's not illegal but if it had been true, I would've just gone with it as it would've been my fault anyway! It's the fact it's lies that's sticking in my throat!

Wyndham

1940sGal wrote: »

I remember being told once that it was illegal to give a bad reference. I don't know how true that is though.

It's not. It is however illegal (or maybe something slightly less harsh) to give a false reference.

So, if you're late for work every day and swear at cutomers, I can make comments in the referenece about your poor timekeeping and your poor customer care skills, but I need to be very sure of my ground before I do so. But, if you are always on time and the best ever at cutomer care and I mentioned your poor timekeeing and your poor customer care skills then you'd be entitled to sue me as much as you liked!

ACDC1978

Wyndham wrote: »

Oooooh - I love a good consipracy theory! :rotfl:

One other point OP, do you have a common name? I once asked for a reference for someone and it was refused, but on further investigation he was thinking of someone else entirely, and the eventual reference was positively glowing.

No my first name is Lynette so even if my surname was Smith or something similarly common you couldn't really get mixed up!

Catherine_Johnson_2

As you've been offered the job and are starting in a few weeks time, why waste time and energy on pursuing this? Just concentrate on the new job.

Whatever reference you may or may not have been given by the previous employer is irrelevant now. You'll potentially be opening a can of worms (exactly what your previous employer warned) if you start to 'pursue' this further as it will involve your new employer too, as they will need to state what was said to them etc. Do you really want to start off with the new employer on that basis? They wont appreciate it.

Just leave it and move on.