What do you do when your old job is giving you a bad ref. even though you know you were a sound employee?

Question

The manager from my old job was rude, grumpy, takes people quitting personally. It's hard to find a job, I think because she's giving me a bad reference. Could this be it? I've never been fired from a job before, nor was I a delinquent employee.

It's the longest job I've had.

Answer 1

It's against the law for them to give any type of reference on your actual work habits. The only thing they can verify is your Start / End dates with the company and your starting / ending salary information.

Try having a friend calling to ask for a reference on you. Tape the call from another line and contact a lawyer if they give your friend anything other that what is allowed.

Answer 2

Well honestly I am not sure if thats it or not of course but I do know one thing it is hard to find a job just about anywhere right now. It's hard telling if it is because of your previous employer, I mean a lot of places do not even call pervious employers.

I do know one thing what you put on your applications for reason for leaving could hurt you too. For awhile I put that I wasn't getting enough hours (not the real reason, store manager was a b*tch.. I was there for almost a year.. longest I have worked there) and then found out during an interview at Sears that me putting that made her think that I would quit if I was part time there too.

Answer 3

They can only state the length and dates of employment and your title, and, I think, your rate of pay. Anything derogatory is grounds for a lawsuit. I was laid off. The EDD called them for the reason. Someone ran off at the mouth and the EDD wanted their insurance payments back from me. I ended up fighting it. The company didn't even show up to contest, so I didn't have to pay back the insurance payments. Also, after that, It took almost 3 years for me to get a full time permanent job offer. There are services that will (for a fee) call the former employer and pose as a prospective employer so you can find out what they are saying about you. The company mentioned here is no longer in business. Karma is a b**ch. Good luck.

Answer 4

A former or current employer can say anything they want about you to anyone they want as long as it is TRUE. If it is not true you can try to sue them for slander but good luck going against deep pockets. There is no federal or state law in the good old USA that says employers can't give out all the reference/employment verification information they want. Here is what I would do: Call or have a friend call posing as a perspective employer and find out what he is saying. Then call him up as yourself and ask him what the company's internal policy is on giving references. If there IS one and he is breaking it call the HR dept of the company to advise them. That should shut him up. If there isn't a policy then just be honest with him - say "I'm receiving feedback from prospective employers that you specifically are giving me a poor reference. I would like to ask you to only give out objective information or refer anyone who calls to the HR dept as this is making it very difficult for me to obtain employment" If he scoffs at that then just stop putting him down as your former supervisor - just put "please contact HR" on applications and get their DIRECT number. Good luck.

Answer 5

Seek for redress if she gives unfair reference,she must proof her self,next time dance according to the tune of your boss if possible.so that you stay in harmony.
your case also happened to my dad,but now the arraogant boss was feared ,we are now happier.

Answer 6

call them and pose as a prospective employer and see what kind of reference they give.
If they say anything derogatory, contact a lawyer.

Answer 7

Check with an attorney. They are disclosing information that you did not authorize.

Answer 8

just offer her/him some money?