Notice of resignation given, Manager starts behaving badly... help

Killick

"They are now holding you at ransom in that they could decide not to give you a satisfactory reference that could influence your final offer with this new job."


Just a word on references. A former employer still has a Duty of Care in giving a reference both to the former employee and any future employer. It has to be factual, if you were good at your job they must be truthful and say so. If you had time off from work they can say so but again, they have to be truthful. It is unlikely that any reference will be bad as the legal position for them can be an issue if they are untruthful

uva33188

So garden leave it is. They said they would not pay for holidays, as they would have to be taken. They said they would send me the details of the arrangement in writing to home address and via email which I have just received.

HR manager was a bit reluctant for the senior manager to give a reference. She said all written references should be from HR only. I don't know why she was guarded on this matter. The senior manager said he would be happy to verbally talk on the phone though.

Later found from a colleague that the immediate manager had told everyone that she felt threatened by me due to an argument and hence I was sent home last week.

uva33188

I'm concerned why the HR person blocked the manager from providing a written reference. She was vey clear, nothing in writing, she said to him. I feel like she denied me the reference the manager was quite willing to give.

She said all official written references would only be provided by HR. Company policy.

Also clear HR are aware of the conflict, will they mention this in my official reference?

throwa

Re the references point, in companies I've worked in references are only ever provided by HR and are written formally. They generally just tend to be 'x worked here from [start date] to [end date], job title was [...] and final salary was [....]. Plus details of any disciplinaries hanging over you. Sometimes the number of sick days taken if the new company asked for this.

So I wouldn't be too worried about the insistence from your HR that all references come to them plus that your senior manager isn't allowed to give a verbal reference - just HR policy.

Conflicts at the personal level aren't normally mentioned - remember that references have to be factually based, and any form of personal conflict would be too easy to argue against based on 'he said she said'.

Takeaway_Addict

uva33188 wrote: »

I'm concerned why the HR person blocked the manager from providing a written reference. She was vey clear, nothing in writing, she said to him. I feel like she denied me the reference the manager was quite willing to give.

She said all official written references would only be provided by HR. Company policy.

Also clear HR are aware of the conflict, will they mention this in my official reference?

Because its their policy? It stops 'friends' giving glowing references for bad employees which then gets the current employer in trouble.

Whats said by word is easier denied.

getmore4less

HR references are usually best as people that are having personal issues with their line management get a clean usually neutral reference

asajj

What said above. My previous employee was even against recommendations on Linkedin!

uva33188

Okay thank you all. The Senior manager was willing to give verbal reference. As said before I worked directly under him for over an year and had a good working relationship with him. I guess I'll stop worrying now and focus of making the most of my leave and prep for the next job.

This was the worst workplace conflict I have been in. Hopefully will carry over my learnings to the next one.

Reggie_Rebel

Don't loose sleep over the reference.

Your new employer has chosen you because they think you are the most capable person to have applied for the job, that covers all round capability so putting aside technical skills they liked you and think you will fit in with the team.

So unless you have lied about your technical skills, which will soon get found out, or about any sick leave or disciplinary, which will also get found out then it is all systems (pun intended) go.