Real-life MMD: Should I give former colleague an undeserved reference?

mikeymikeyb

Incidentally, giving a reference is one of the few occasions you can be held liable for 'negligent misstatement' - so if any damage (financial or other) was caused, there's a chance you could be in the firing line if it came out that you lied!

EDIT: source - my undergraduate tort law lectures (3 years ago)

1Marybd

You can't give a good reference, because she messed up (as you said). It's as simple as that. If you want to be of some assistance to her, then tell her you can't give a good reference and tell her why. Be specific. This is valuable feedback, it is up to her to get out of the mess she has created for herself. You won't help her, or yourself, or the future employer by doing anything else.

1Marybd

Mattjimf wrote: »

If it's a work reference and not a personal reference, just do a basic HR reference, stating the dates she worked at the company and what her duties were. If it's going to be a phone reference just keep the answers short, don't lie, but don't expand on anything.

Oh dear, sorry, I don't agree, what on earth good does that do? Seems a bit of a cowardly way out if you ask me...

onesixfive

She may be more capable of the new work duties than the old - give her a new chance - give her a basic reference, but maybe offer a phone number should the new employer (if she's successful in her application) wish to discuss her capabilities or the reference further. That way you could speak in confidence about what you may not be happy to put on paper ?

portlandboy

I've been in this exact situation in the past. You can be "diplomatically" negative but remain honest if you think carefully about the exact wording of the reference. However, you need to remember that anything you write in a reference is confidential, so your friend will not see what is in the reference. If the job carries certain responsibilities you must consider the fact that you may hold the key to something that might have a knock-on negative effect on others too, so honestly without bluntness is possibly the best policy here.

Owain_Moneysaver

portlandboy wrote: »

However, you need to remember that anything you write in a reference is confidential, so your friend will not see what is in the reference.

On the contrary, it will be accessible under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act.

WinnyWoo

You were not her employer so you cannot give an employers reference - if her prospective employer will accept a reference from her friend then that's fine.
You may want to ask your friend what she has said in her application, and explain that you can only tell them the truth as you you know it, as she may not have mentioned the employment with your boss. If she has mentioned it [as she should] then suggest she puts your boss as a reference.

A.Jones

portlandboy wrote: »

However, you need to remember that anything you write in a reference is confidential, so your friend will not see what is in the reference.

As above, it is not confidential. The applicant can ask to see the reference. The company is holding personal information about them, and so they can apply to view the reference, along with other personal data about them that the company holds.

debbiesmum

I agree with the comments that a reference should be from the actual employer, NOT a colleague. I worked in HR for many years in a large international organisation. We only sought references from a previous employer. We never accepted a reference which a prospective candidate brought to interview (have you ever known anyone hand over a bad reference). I would politely decline the offered reference and explain that we always wrote "potential employer" to ex-employer seeking a reference.

A work colleague should only be giving a "character" reference eg, fine upstanding citizen, etc - NOT commenting on a colleague's work performance - that's for the boss to supply.

kwmlondon

Just say that as you're a friend it would not be appropriate for you to give a professional reference.