Employer Refusing to Give Me a Reference UK Law?

Question

I have been employed by the same blue chip company for over twenty years; recently I intend to move home to be closer to work and approached an estate agent who found me a property to rent, the agent uses an outside company to reference potential tenants

The company wrote to my employer who are willing to provide a reference providing I allow them to disclose that I changed my name five years ago.

Without going in to specific detail I do not want my employer to disclose this information and I have been told that unless I agree they will not provide a reference

Where do I stand under UK law with regard to data protection and human rights ??


Thanks


DAH

PS

The company seeking the reference made no request for information about name changes only wages length of service and is my contract permanent

Answer 1

I wonder whether your employers are concerned about the money laundering regulations, which would make it mandatory for certain institutions to be informed about changes of circumstances, including a change of name, before entering into financial relations with you. If they are a blue chip company, maybe they make a point of always disclosing such information when giving a reference, to protect themselves. They are not required under the money laundering regulations to investigate you or the circumstances of your change of name because you have been with them so long, but perhaps they feel obliged to disclose it to any other party with whom you may enter into a financial arrangement of any kind. If this is the case, then you will have to comply with their rules, which are hard and fast.

Answer 2

An Employer is not allowed to give detrimental information about your performance at work if asked, if they refuse a reference that`s fine it would show that you were possibly not reliable, as regards divulging what you are saying it shouldn`t come up, a)they want to know your pay structure b)the name would be mentioned only if there was a chance that you were a person of a security risk situation,for peace of mind see a solicitor.

Answer 3

The problem that strikes me first is that, when you filled in the estate agents form, wasn't there a question something like: "Have you ever been known by any other surname?". If they intend to carry out a credit check on you, there probably should be - in which case, you can't lie or reasonably expect your employers to.

This is a very tricky one, I have no idea. I'm not sure CAB will either - perhaps contact an solicitor who specialises in employment law.

Good luck

Answer 4

Its a pretty straightforward answer. Your employer just won't give you a reference unless you agree to their criteria. They are not legally bound to and in fact many companies will no longer give references in case they are classed as inaccurate.

You could try speaking to your boss and explain the situation to them and why you do not wish this information to be provided. They have been asked to provide an 'honest' reference and could find themselves in trouble if they withheld information that could be relevant to your rental application.

With regard to Data Protection, if you give your employer permission to pass on information about you, you can't then say - only tell them what I want. Either they pass on any information that they deem relevent, or they pass on nothing.

Answer 5

If previous employers have been obliged to jot down a sturdy reference, then what in the worldwide could be the factor of references? A reference is meant to be an illustration of what somebody thinks approximately you, and the form you labored. assume you have been continually an hour previous due, and continually clowning around; An organization who did no longer such as you need to declare something like "Time conserving is abysmal, and the candidate isn't able to take something (which contain himself) heavily". on the different hnd, somebody who liked you will possibly say, "great exciting to have around and continually boosting the morale of the team", and not say something with reference to the timekeeping. (The lesson right here on interpreting a reference, is that regularly what isn't suggested is as substantial as what's asserted). So, no, an organization isn't obliged to supply a sturdy reference. in the event that they don't have a beef with you they're going to often gain this, yet otherwise, at maximum suitable they're going to supply a independent reference yet they could supply a sturdy or a foul reference, as they see greater healthful. remember although that in the time of this litigative worldwide, in the event that they say you are the main suitable worker ever, and you prove to no longer be, then your new organization ought to sue them, and in the event that they run you down unreasonably (and you gets ex colleagues to verify that this is unrepresentative of you), then you certainly can sue them. So on that foundation, what form of reference do you assume maximum employers could be possibly to jot down?

Answer 6

Thats a stumper! I would think they originally employed you under your previous name so they are entitled to make this clause for the reference BUT go to the CAB they will be able to find out for you.

Answer 7

I would seek advice from the citizens advice bureau

Answer 8

Sorry I think that is up to your ex company.

Answer 9

C.A.B.They will advise you.