Reply to: previous employer reference

[realityhack]

I believe employers have to give a reference

Nope:

Does your employer have to give you a reference?
If you want to leave your job you will probably want a reference. It's good practice for your employer to give one, but they don't have to if your contract doesn't say they have to, except in some regulated industries like financial services.

Linky

Aha. That'll be why that's the case in my experience.

[KimberleyChris]

morse code?

in that case...

Put the kettle on Lewis. full throttle

--. --- --- -.. -. .. --. .... - .- .-.. .-..

[EternalOptimist]

That's nothing...I still use morse code here when I have got my other hat on. Honest!

morse code?

in that case...

Put the kettle on Lewis. full throttle

[KimberleyChris]

it must be old, if it knows what a fax is

That's nothing...I still use morse code here when I have got my other hat on. Honest!

[KimberleyChris]

Shame they couldn't spell competent, though.

It's a shame that they couldn't spell competent, though.

[EternalOptimist]

Oops.

The old lap top's getting knacked now. I need to stamp on the 'm' and the 'k', and one of the 'shifts' has packed in too.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for drawing this grievious error to my attention. I promise that I will take far more care in the future.

it must be old, if it knows what a fax is

[KimberleyChris]

Oops.

The old lap top's getting knacked now. I need to stamp on the 'm' and the 'k', and one of the 'shifts' has packed in too.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for drawing this grievous error to my attention. I promise that I will take far more care in the future.

[TheFaQQer]

The last one I saw was just a brief blank FAX which asked:

Name?, Position?, How long for?.
Copetent and qualified?
Would the candidate in your opinion be suitable for ............ position?
Would you re-employ?

I suppose they just leave blank spaces rather than risk getting sued.

Shame they couldn't spell competent, though.

[KimberleyChris]

The last one I saw was just a brief blank FAX which asked:

Name?, Position?, How long for?.
Copetent and qualified?
Would the candidate in your opinion be suitable for ............ position?
Would you re-employ?

I suppose they just leave blank spaces rather than risk getting sued.

[EternalOptimist]

great.
you may find out something that you dont really want to know.


my last reference was 'Most of his work was outstanding and when he joined he was fired with enthusiasm. He left the same way'

[TheFaQQer]

Actually, let's see if we can make this a bit easier:

Linky

[TheFaQQer]

how do i know if past employer gives poor reference?

Asking for a copy of your reference once you start your new job
Once you start working for a new employer you can ask them for a copy of any reference they've been given from your previous employers. They should supply it to you under data protection law.

Linky

[TheFaQQer]

I believe employers have to give a reference

Nope:

Does your employer have to give you a reference?
If you want to leave your job you will probably want a reference. It's good practice for your employer to give one, but they don't have to if your contract doesn't say they have to, except in some regulated industries like financial services.

Linky

[beaker]

I believe under European law a company can give you a good or bad reference, or refuse to give a reference.

A lot of companies actually ban their staff from giving references for legal reasons - if you think they unfairly gave you a bad reference you could take them to court.

I have always put references "available on request" on my CV, and I have never been asked for them (except by dodgy agents trying to drum up leads).

In my experience most hiring managers acknowledge references are bollocks (you wouldn't list a referee who would give you a bad reference) and would rather go by their own instincts and impressions. If they really think you're odd, they'll insist on a police check

[northernladuk]

will the new employer let me know if they not happy about references?

This is a contractor forum not a permie forum..

Also you will most certainly know if your new employer doesn't like your references!!!