Former manager won't provide a reference

[CalamityJane]

This may seem like a strange issue for an IT contractor to post, but I have had a provisional offer from a very corporate organisation and am having the kind of issues I thought only employees had.

For referees I had provided my previous agencies' contact details, and they are happy to act as referees, but the hiring agency for this new contract is asking for my former manager's name and contact details as a reference.

It is a part of the form the hiring company issues, so I don't think it is (just) a case of the agency wanting leads.

Unfortunately, the last (well-known, extremely corporate) company I worked for has a strict "no reference" policy and my former manager is adhering to it. I feel this will reflect very badly on me - people will assume I must have done a poor job.

To give you a sense of how far from the truth this is - both my manager and my manager's manager went to some lengths to convince me to stay on at the organisation. By their own admission "We've done everything we can to convince you to stay." In fact, weeks after my contract ended (due to project completion) I even got a personal email from someone within the organisation, who said my manager's manager had recommended me for a new contract - again, I very politely declined.

So, they are happy to recommend me internally.

They also took me aside many times during my contract to tell me what a great job I was doing, and because of my long hours, they even gave me a few paid holiday days. I kept refusing, but they insisted. After I'd left, they even paid for a meal out with an ex-colleague - no reason other than to say thank you for my work.

So, I thought of them as lovely people and looked back with fondness. Obviously, I've (very politely) turned them down on multiple occasions - but this was due to the office location. The commute was incredibly long and people did seem to understand that this was the reason I didn't want to stay on after the project finished, and they didn't seem offended.

It is just very odd that my former manager gave such a short (and delayed) response saying she couldn't give references, and didn't offer to provide, say, a personal reference - which anyone could do.

I have gaps in my CV - I like to take career breaks of around 4-6 months every now and again. I feel that this combined with no reference from a manager will severely damage my career.

My manager's manager did say if I ever needed help in my career I could always go to her - but that means going over my manager's head, and I still might not get a reference because the policy applies to everyone. And won't the hiring company think it's weird that I've gone so senior for a reference - and haven't gone to my manager?

Please help. I just wasn't expecting this as my work was so appreciated. But maybe my ex-manager has a personal grudge that she never expressed at the time..

[MPwannadecentincome]

They may not be allowed to give a reference but someone in the company should be able to state what dates you were were contracted for. For permies the HR dept. would do that, so ask the manager or their manager who is allowed to confirm the dates then given them as a reference.

[Cirrus]

I'm not really sure what your problem is.

This kind of thing happens all the time. Increasingly I find agencies don't even bother trying for references. If they do, you will not be the first person who gets caught by company rules.

Not long ago I got hit by the no references rule from my ex boss so I went to her boss - the IT Director - and that worked just fine.

In the rather unlikely event you lose the offer, just take it on the chin.

[Yonmons]

It shouldnt be a problem, just tell your new prospective employer thats the way it is. I contracted to a local authority who had a no reference policy. My boss told me that as I left and dont take that they were unhappy with my work. I hear what you are saying but If he a values his job, he wont do the personal reference bit, this situation is NOT unusual. Stop beating yourself up over it.

[CalamityJane]

I'm not really sure what your problem is.

This kind of thing happens all the time. Increasingly I find agencies don't even bother trying for references. If they do, you will not be the first person who gets caught by company rules.

Not long ago I got hit by the no references rule from my ex boss so I went to her boss - the IT Director - and that worked just fine.

In the rather unlikely event you lose the offer, just take it on the chin.

I don't think many would find it acceptable to lose an offer for something neither their fault nor changeable. So, that explains, I guess, what my problem is. Particularly if it's something likely to happen again and again.

I don't understand how you explained the lack of reference from your manager, when getting a reference from the IT Director sort of underlines the fact that people do give references!

[CalamityJane]

They may not be allowed to give a reference but someone in the company should be able to state what dates you were were contracted for. For permies the HR dept. would do that, so ask the manager or their manager who is allowed to confirm the dates then given them as a reference.

Thanks for your reply. They are looking for a bit more than confirmation of dates worked. Don't forget they already have my agencies' details - they can confirm the dates worked.

[CalamityJane]

It shouldnt be a problem, just tell your new prospective employer thats the way it is. I contracted to a local authority who had a no reference policy. My boss told me that as I left and dont take that they were unhappy with my work. I hear what you are saying but If he a values his job, he wont do the personal reference bit, this situation is NOT unusual. Stop beating yourself up over it.

It's more the hiring agency that will beat me up about this.

I just don't want to lose the offer. Contracts kind of dry up around the Xmas period.

You wouldn't think that a company that requests references for people coming into their organisation, then doesn't allow them for people coming out. That's hypocrisy when you think about it.

If they feel like that then they certainly shouldn't have needed references from me before giving me the offer!

Anyway, so far the general response is - suck it up and lose the contract. And any contracts after that. Anyone out there who doesn't think that's solved the problem?!

[BrilloPad]

Ask the new organization what references they provide to ex contractors.

Most clients will never ever give references except to permies via HR which will state dates worked, job title and salary.

Agencies will only state dates worked.

At current clientco the agency just asked for HR and agency contacts. Then contacted them all. Then highlighted differences with my CV and asked me to explain them!

As an example, at the hedge fund I worked for I was a developer/RAD developer/support/BA. My job title said BA! I did not think anything of it at the time.

I miss the days of 30 years ago when it was a 10 minute face to face interview. Then you started. And you did the job or got sacked. Personnel department were nobodies. Since they became HR they run the company.

[Chuck]

Refusal to give references is common, and nobody in their right mind would read any more into it than your former client's corporate policy. If you lose the contract over this then you have probably dodged a bullet and avoided a company you wouldn't actually enjoy working for.

[MrMarkyMark]

This...no one officially gives references beyond confirmed dates worked these days, its as simple as that .

Ask the new organization what references they provide to ex contractors.

Most clients will never ever give references except to permies via HR which will state dates worked, job title and salary.

Agencies will only state dates worked.