feedback requested by supplier

w00519772

we were recently asked to give some feedback on a long term supplier. I am an employee. I was quite frank giving constructive criticism


the owner of this company contacted me and asked me to rethink my answers as they were planning to use the feedback to persuade a prospective customer to buy their services. I think this customer asked for specific feedback from us. We refused on the grounds that the feedback was accurate and fair in our opinion. Examples of questions include: How do you rate the quality of support etc? I know that employers have to give "good" references to employees. Are there any similar rules here?

DKLS

Nope no rules other than they may stop supplying you.

Mistral001

Is this not a straight-forward testimonial. With testimonials the person/company receiving the testimonial will see it (i.e. unlike a reference) and they can choose whether or not to use it depending on what it says. They cannot tell you what to put in it, although I am sure it happens.

InsideInsurance

w00519772 wrote: »

I know that employers have to give "good" references to employees. Are there any similar rules here?

You know wrong. As long as the reference is factually accurate any reference can be as good or bad as the person/ company was.

The issue with former employee references is... why bother giving a bad reference and risk being sued even if its accurate? You rarely will have any interest if the prospective employer ends up with a good or bad employee and so no motivation to warn them off taking on a liability.

The company cannot force you to give them a good review just as you cannot force them to use the review. They can however potentially consider your actions in the next time your contract with them is up for negotiation and so I would be inclined to send the issue up the line to allow someone with a bigger pay cheque make the call.

IronWolf

Not only would I give them a slap for even suggesting it, I'd probably send an honest testimonial directly to the prospective customer if I could, and I'd be looking for an alternative supplier with decent ethics

Annisele

If this supplier is important to your employer, I think you should refer the whole exchange to your boss.

They certainly can't force you to give a particular testimonial - but they can stop supplying you if they want. It's possible your employer has a different opinion of the supplier to you, and would be upset if they didn't get the chance to give it.

Mistral001

Annisele wrote: »

If this supplier is important to your employer, I think you should refer the whole exchange to your boss.

They certainly can't force you to give a particular testimonial - but they can stop supplying you if they want. It's possible your employer has a different opinion of the supplier to you, and would be upset if they didn't get the chance to give it.

I agree. Often employers leave their employees to get on with it and expect them to do everything it would seem, especially small firms. However, there are times when they will expect you to consult with them and this I think is such situation as it could affect the future of the business.

cavework

They must be doing something right or they would not be a long term supplier.
You are not the person to complete this feedback as you are an employee .
As someone has said this needs to be passed to the boss and decision maker .

w00519772

I consulted with my line manager and she said it is a good job it is not me giving the feedback. I was authorised to write the feedback.

Mistral001

w00519772 wrote: »

I consulted with my line manager and she said it is a good job it is not me giving the feedback. I was authorised to write the feedback.

Do you mean that the line manager would have given an even worse "feedback", or the line manager was glad that someone else had to do it and thus he would not have to deal with the fallout from a negative criticism?

w00519772

Mistral001 wrote: »

Do you mean that the line manager would have given an even worse "feedback", or the line manager was glad that someone else had to do it and thus he would not have to deal with the fallout from a negative criticism?

She would of written worse feedback. We wrote the feedback together. I was trying to be more diplomatic.