unsatisfactory references

Peppy86

Hi Everybody,

Last week my employer has withdrawn his offer of employment because of unsatisfactory references. After a while, I realised that (in the application form) he asked for 2 references who know me at work. Instead, I gave him my last employer's reference and one of my university tutor's reference.
Could be my last reference the reason of the offer withdrawal?

Thanks a lot!

marliepanda

Peppy86 wrote: »

Hi Everybody,

Last week my employer has withdrawn his offer of employment because of unsatisfactory references. After a while, I realised that (in the application form) he asked for 2 references who know me at work. Instead, I gave him my last employer's reference and one of my university tutor's reference.
Could be my last reference the reason of the offer withdrawal?

Thanks a lot!

It could be yes, you didn't follow the instruction of your potential new employer.
It could be:
a) your tutor didn't give you a work based reference (and how could they)

or
he's thought, well this person can't even follow that basic instruction so reconsidered your suitability for the role.



However, that's just guesswork. You'd have to ask him for a more detailed reason.

Peppy86

marliepanda wrote: »

It could be yes, you didn't follow the instruction of your potential new employer.
It could be:
a) your tutor didn't give you a work based reference (and how could they)

or
he's thought, well this person can't even follow that basic instruction so reconsidered your suitability for the role.


However, that's just guesswork. You'd have to ask him for a more detailed reason.

I asked but no answer has been given. He said that what my references said is confidential.
I don't know what to think. Now I am waiting for another confirmation and, even they didn't ask me for work references, they asked them for a review about my work standards...
I think it's really frustrating and unfair for employees.

missbiggles1

Peppy86 wrote: »

I asked but no answer has been given. He said that what my references said is confidential.
I don't know what to think. Now I am waiting for another confirmation and, even they didn't ask me for work references, they asked them for a review about my work standards...
I think it's really frustrating and unfair for employees.

In what way is it unfair to employees if they get a bad reference as long as it's truthful?

sangie595

I'm not clear what you think is unfair? If you wish to see your references you can ask your current employer and tutor. If they refuse you have the right to obtain them with a SAR. But to be honest, I find it hard to credit that a job would be withdrawn just because one reference was from a university tutor. That would often be accepted as a "work" reference if that is what you have been working on. Many students have no other reference to offer.

Peppy86

missbiggles1 wrote: »

In wat way is it unfair to employees if they get a bad reference as long as it's truthful?

I mean it is unfair to withdrawal a job offer if one the reference I gave is not one of my employer,

Peppy86

sangie595 wrote: »

I'm not clear what you think is unfair? If you wish to see your references you can ask your current employer and tutor. If they refuse you have the right to obtain them with a SAR. But to be honest, I find it hard to credit that a job would be withdrawn just because one reference was from a university tutor. That would often be accepted as a "work" reference if that is what you have been working on. Many students have no other reference to offer.

Exactly! That's my situation. I have just 1 job experience, so I could only give my last employer reference.

Undervalued

Peppy86 wrote: »

Exactly! That's my situation. I have just 1 job experience, so I could only give my last employer reference.

Well you are only going to find out if you obtain a copy of the references.

Write to the employer that turned you down and remind then that you have a right to a copy and that you will make a subject access request under the data protection act if necessary. Whilst you are at it you may as well ask for all data they hold about you including interview notes etc.

The problem is it is amazing what can get omitted and hard to prove.! However they will struggle to do that with the references as they cannot deny having them.

shortcrust

I'd be amazed if this was because you used a tutor as a reference. My guess is that one or both of the references weren't very complimentary or didn't match up with your CV or application form. If that's the case I can completely understand why the employer who rejected you doesn't want to get involved. It's really nothing to do with them anymore. You need to be talking to the previous employer and tutor to find out what they wrote/said. Did you ask the tutor if you could use them? Assuming you did and they agreed, the problem is likely to be with the employer reference.

Peppy86

Undervalued wrote: »

Well you are only going to find out if you obtain a copy of the references.

Write to the employer that turned you down and remind then that you have a right to a copy and that you will make a subject access request under the data protection act if necessary. Whilst you are at it you may as well ask for all data they hold about you including interview notes etc.

The problem is it is amazing what can get omitted and hard to prove.! However they will struggle to do that with the references as they cannot deny having them.

As I said, reference copy is confidential. I can surely try to get that copy but I think it will be difficult to convince him.

Peppy86

shortcrust wrote: »

I'd be amazed if this was because you used a tutor as a reference. My guess is that one or both of the references weren't very complimentary or didn't match up with your CV or application form. If that's the case I can completely understand why the employer who rejected you doesn't want to get involved. It's really nothing to do with them anymore. You need to be talking to the previous employer and tutor to find out what they wrote/said. Did you ask the tutor if you could use them? Assuming you did and they agreed, the problem is likely to be with the employer reference.

Both my last employer and my tutor agreed to give their references. Moreover, my last employer said spontaneously (when my contract run out) that he would have given his reference if necessary. I don't really know what to think.