Bad reference

Undervalued

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I agree - it's likely to be an unlawful disclosure as they would not have been able to verify the caller's identity.

The detail should only have been disclosed after submission of a Subject Access Request.

Not really!

Given that they were talking to a job applicant about her application then, unless they had verified her identity, they shouldn't have discussed anything at all.

So, assuming they had verified then there is no reason why the contents of the reference should be treated any differently to any other aspect of the application.

A subject access request is a way of legally requiring a disclosure, it doesn't mean one can't happen without.

pmd123

surreysaver wrote: »

Since when did the NHS worry about the law when disclosing information? Oh yeah, I forgot - if the law doesn't allow disclosure, the NHS just changes the law.

Completely disagree, due to the security lapses in the past any detail is locked down so tight now that we have to report a serious incident if we get sent an email with any identifiable details in. Not going to say we're perfect, but things have been tightened up massively over the last few years.


OP - glad this has worked out ok for you, but you've been quite lucky getting through this with such a bad reference. Hope the new role is more suited to your skills, and it goes well.

surreysaver

I don't disagree. The law does not permit different organisations to pass identifiable information between each other. But, because the NHS wants to, they introduce new laws to permit such things as care.data, Summary Care Records et al to happen without explicit patient consent. If any other organisation wanted to do this, they would not be allowed to. The NHS is a law unto itself.

Polarbeary

Glad it worked out well for you Pippin!

I only give HR reference details out, my references just read "this person worked here from this date to this date as a ...... Their contract ended or they resigned" kind of thing.

I was chatting to a HR lady recently and they said they are used to just getting a standard HR reference back from the big companies and organisations, they are looking to confirm that you have worked where you say you have worked and not been sacked for gross misconduct.

I don't risk giving a manager's details - just in case! Never been sacked or disciplined at work but had one not so nice lady as my line manager and I wouldn't want her to give a not so nice reference!

pupgrum

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.

Volunteering references are useless unless you've been doing it for 6+ months, and it's a respectable position. It's easy to condescend how people should not jump into a boring job. We have bills to pay. Not all of us have the luxury of taking time picking a perfect dream job. A college course requires money for tuition and money to live on.

dandelionclock30

pupgrum wrote: »

Volunteering references are useless unless you've been doing it for 6+ months, and it's a respectable position. It's easy to condescend how people should not jump into a boring job. We have bills to pay. Not all of us have the luxury of taking time picking a perfect dream job. A college course requires money for tuition and money to live on.

Depends on the job your going for and the employer how long they want to see you have volunteered for and in what capacity.
Not being condescending, its better to avoid being sacked especially more than once by being in really unsuitable jobs.I'm not saying it needs to be a dream job, just something they can do without being bored to tears.
If OP is unemployed then he will be able to go on various part time courses which are either free/ subsidized etc and part time.He/she can still claim if thats what they are doing.
Glad they appear to have got a job now.