Bad reference

pippin22

Hi all... I'm new to this forum, so hello to all, hopefully some good advice will be received:)

Ok, so, last November I was dismissed from my job, I had made a couple of mistakes with dispatching orders and missing off an item or two. My bosses could see that i was bored in my job, and was not enjoying it. I was essentially dispatching customer orders and cutting frames for a picture framing company. Anyway, they decided that it was best if I moved on, not only for their benefit but also mine as I had more to offer than just working a crappy job like that. Yes a lot of truth in that, but party was said just to make me go quietly. Anyway they gave a months extra pay to hopefully tide me over until i found work... I was told when i left that there would be no issues in getting a good reference etc from them.....

So I got offered a conditional contract offer from the Hospital 2 weeks ago, obviously dependent on references etc.
I bumped in to my old bosses at a wedding last week and had a good chat with them about the job, they seemed happy for me and I informed them that they would be contacted for a reference, all was good they said, no problem etc.

I get a phone call yesterday saying my contract offer is being withdrawn based on the reference from my old employer.. (absolutely gutted, first job in 10 months! Not through lack of trying believe me)...

So after speaking to the woman at the hospital she read me a couple of comments that were written. They had put that I needed constant supervision, was easily distracted and a distraction to others. Now I'm not saying that mistakes weren't made at my last job, but nothing to suggest that I need constant supervision etc.

After speaking to my old boss, It's clearly a case that she knows he's in the wrong to a certain degree, and she is currently speaking to the hospital and trying to rectify the situation. But i fear it may be too little too late...

If i was to get the reference that she has submitted every time when applying for jobs I see little chance of actually gaining further employment!! I told her that... Like I say despite my dismissal we left on good terms, there were no bad feelings, so this is quite frustrating.

I'm not really sure what to do going forward etc, where do I stand.. Has any else found themselves in a similar situation where an unfair reference has ruined chances of work?

What can I do?

Sorry to go on a bit. It's quite a situation and wanted to get it all in..

Any thoughts/advice would welcomed greatly..

Thanks guys:)

HappyMJ

Well you're not going to get that job now are you so any future job's you apply for do not use your previous employer for a reference. Find another reference. Don't even mention your last employer on your CV. You can write a style of CV without mentioning employers names.

They aren't supposed to go into much detail but some do. You can claim for damages of the statements are untrue.

pippin22

Thanks for your reply.

No, I have given up hope of this job. My old boss has just informed me that she has spoke to them at the hospital and tried to clear things up. She said they were receptive and appreciated the call. If i don't hear back in the next hour or so I'll follow up with a call and see if they are willing to reconsider.

Going forward, surely most employers are looking for a reference from your last employer, no? If my last one isn't listed as a reference then that would surely raise questions..

tomtontom

Their comments sound justified to me - if you're making mistakes because you find the work "boring" and "crappy" then you clearly did need constant supervision. You are aware that much hospital work can also be boring and crappy? The difference being if you make a mistake there you affect patient care.

How long were you with the previous employer?

sangie595

tomtontom wrote: »

Their comments sound justified to me - if you're making mistakes because you find the work "boring" and "crappy" then you clearly did need constant supervision. You are aware that much hospital work can also be boring and crappy? The difference being if you make a mistake there you affect patient care.

How long were you with the previous employer?

I would have to agree. It may be a fact that the work was boring. That is not a good reason to do a bad job of it. You expected to be paid - and they expected you to do the job they were paying you to do.If your attitude to work is that making mistakes is ok if you are bored with the job, then that says an awful lot to a potential employer.

missbiggles1

Given what you've written here, surely you didn't expect to get a decent reference?

dandelionclock30

Your going to have to drop that reference and do some voluntary work or work for a friend for a bit to get another reference. Not all voluntary work requires last employer references some just ask for 2 people like friends or a professional person etc.
In future dont go for really boring jobs, try getting something that interests you. Also if you are interested in doing a college course, they could give you a personal reference upon completion.
I love it on here when people try to put the boot in. Whats done is done, move on and learn from it.

Stevie_Palimo

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Given what you've written here, surely you didn't expect to get a decent reference?

You mirrored my thoughts missbiggles1 exactly.

missbiggles1

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Your going to have to drop that reference and do some voluntary work or work for a friend for a bit to get another reference. Not all voluntary work requires last employer references some just ask for 2 people like friends or a professional person etc.
In future dont go for really boring jobs, try getting something that interests you. Also if you are interested in doing a college course, they could give you a personal reference upon completion.
I love it on here when people try to put the boot in. Whats done is done, move on and learn from it.

I don't think anybody's "putting the boot in" but the OP seems so surprised at the situation he's put himself in that it's hard to see how he's going to learn from his mistakes.

TBagpuss

the only other thing I can think of would be to speak to your former employer and ask whether they are willing to either (i) agree that they will give a very limited reference only , simply confirming the period you worked for them and your job title or (ii) agree a reference with you and agree to use that.

However, employers are bound to be accurate in what they say in references so if the truth is tat they got rid of you because you were bored, didn't do a good job and made a lot of mistakes then they are not going to be able to give you a very positive reference.

If you were not on the job very long, you may be able to give the name of a former employer instead. But be aware that you may be asked about the gap, and that if the new job requires a reference from your most recent employer and you are not honest in identifying who that is then you will find yourself in difficulties if they find out the truth.

[Deleted User]

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I love it on here when people try to put the boot in. Whats done is done, move on and learn from it.

Quite.


Lets also hope the gloating 'medical profession involved' stopped to think about the damage to someone's mental health being allowed to read out 'carte blanche'; this could drag someone down


Hell - 10 months without a job - hasn't the OP paid a price, oh no, that's only reserved for people who commit offences to come here and be told everything is alright


OP do some volunteering - get an up to date reference that way?


You only succeed on these forums writing as much of a sob story on how other people want to read it anyhow, very sadly