unsatisfactory references

missbiggles1

Peppy86 wrote: »

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.

They may well have agreed to give you areference, that doesn't mean they'll give you a good one.

shortcrust

Peppy86 wrote: »

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.

Hmmm. I think most people would say something if they felt they couldn't give a good reference. Unless of course they really had it in for you! I wouldn't wasted time trying to get copies of the references from the prospective employer. He clearly doesn't want to give you them. Talking about a SAR is pointless when he can just say he shredded them and can't remember the contents.

Peppy86

missbiggles1 wrote: »

They may well have agreed to give you areference, that doesn't mean they'll give you a good one.

well, if someone say spontaneously "you can give my reference" and after he gives a bad one, it is pretty unfair.

Undervalued

Peppy86 wrote: »

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.

If you make a formal subject access request he is legally obliged to give it to you. Ultimately, if he refuses and you make a complaint, he will be fined if he doesn't comply.

Peppy86

Undervalued wrote: »

If you make a formal subject access request he is legally obliged to give it to you. Ultimately, if he refuses and you make a complaint, he will be fined if he doesn't comply.

Where can I do this formal request?

ohreally

Peppy86 wrote: »

Where can I do this formal request?

SAR to the recipient.

Undervalued

Peppy86 wrote: »

Where can I do this formal request?

Details here

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/personal-information/

DCFC79

Peppy86 wrote: »

well, if someone say spontaneously "you can give my reference" and after he gives a bad one, it is pretty unfair.

As been mentioned as long as the reference is truthful then it is fair.

w06

If you don't have the relationship with your referee to ask them what they wrote, you probably ought to use a different referee.

I've alays been given a copy of any reference provided about me, not by the potential employer but by the person writing the reference. Similarly I always out of courtesy provide a copy of any reference that I write to the person I'm writing it about.

Undervalued

Many large organisations, when requesting a reference, warn the writer that they may be legally obliged to give a copy to the applicant.

Once upon a time they were generally regarded as strictly confidential but, rightly or wrongly the world has changed.

OP, if you Google something like "obtaining copies of references by means of a SAR" or words to that effect you should find various articles including some on solicitors' websites.