Reference problem

Charityworker

My husband has been offered a job subject to 2 satisfactory references from past employers. One past employer has given him a glowing reference but the other refuses saying "I don't bother doing references". It's the employer he worked for in a seasonal post last summer. She contacted him last week to ask if he wanted to come back this year and he said sorry but he has found permanent employment. Now she's being funny about it and not giving him the reference he needs because she wants him to go back to work for her. She's not a very likeable person. No one that works for her likes her. You'd think a large company like that would be more professional (holiday company that sounds like Sharks Mesorts). It's taken him 4 years to get a permanent job and now it's going to be spoilt by a bad ex employer. Any advice?

bubblegum1985

Is there another manager he can ask?

Or explain it to his new employers and ask them to ring her for a verbal one?

Uncertain

I'm sorry but you cannot force somebody to provide a reference.

Any reference they do give must be true and not deliberately misleading.

j.e.j.

A large finance company I used to work for demanded 5 references from employees. But they themselves refused to give references, saying it's company policy to only confirm dates of employment.

It's a joke.

zzzLazyDaisy

There is no obligation in law on the employer to provide a reference (Apart from certain professions in which the employer is obliged by their membership of the regulatory body to give a reference.). So if they refuse point blank to give a reference there is nothing you can do.

As uncertain says, if they do give a reference it must be honest and factual (which, in certain circumstances, can itself be a double edged sword).

All you can do is tell the employer that the old employer has a company policy of not giving references, and ask if they will accept a reference from a different employer.

Charityworker

Oh well, it looks like 4 years of trying to get a permanent job is going to be ruined by a past employer who wont put pen to paper. Theres thanks for you.

Takeaway_Addict

Charityworker wrote: »

Oh well, it looks like 4 years of trying to get a permanent job is going to be ruined by a past employer who wont put pen to paper. Theres thanks for you.

She doesn't have to, doesn't make them a bad employer, in fact its quite savvy as it lessens her risk in the future.

Your OH needs to talk to the potential employer about this issue and maybe point out that he can be dismissed fairly easy within the first two years of employment and that he just needs a chance.

easilydistracted

If he worked for a large company can he not at least get one from their HR saying dates he worked there, that he resigned and that there were no disciplinary procedures. He could then ask the new employer if that alongside a personal reference from a professional he knows would do?

stagey_2

easilydistracted wrote: »

If he worked for a large company can he not at least get one from their HR saying dates he worked there, that he resigned and that there were no disciplinary procedures. He could then ask the new employer if that alongside a personal reference from a professional he knows would do?

Many companies just provide employment dates and the like. However, we do sometimes say to telephone the line manager to have a chat - not in a negative way - but to sing praises, which is not put into the written reference.

SuzyZ

easilydistracted wrote: »

If he worked for a large company can he not at least get one from their HR saying dates he worked there, that he resigned and that there were no disciplinary procedures. He could then ask the new employer if that alongside a personal reference from a professional he knows would do?

this would always be my port of call. Override the not nice manager and get HR to deal with it. If they have queries they will check with manager but most HR depts provide a standard reference stating dates worked etc.

loracan1

Will they not accept a second reference from a friend or acquaintance of some standing in the community? It'd be difficult for many people to get references from more than one employer if they've been in the same job for a while.