Previous employer (boss) refuses reference-but can she stop other employees giving me one?(i.e Office manager)

Question

I left on bad terms with previous employer and she refuses to give a reference for me. I understand she can legally do this but can she tell the other staff not to fill one in on my behalf. I know for a fact if we had left on better terms and I asked for a reference she would not do it herself and she would pass it on anyway - she is just doing this out of spite.

I use the example of Microsoft - I would not ask Bill Gates to fill in my CV anway would I, I would ask someone I worked under ie. Office Manager not the MD.


Help please I need to know where I stand legally

Answer 1

you can get someone else to write one for you, but they must state that it is not written on behalf of the company, they must say it is a personal reference but they were your manager, co-worker etc.

Answer 2

It is very possible to get a job being honest that you left under terms not so perfect....but make sure the ultimate reason was your professionalism remained intake and you left for personal growth. Every other solution may involve something less than upfront. And no new employer wants to know there was "legal" ramifications involved with you and the employer. Try to get the inside track on your next job and they will find a way to hire you.

Answer 3

I got a job right after my brother at GETRONICS in Virginia verbally assaulted me on a daily basis over a period of about 3 months while doing various install projects.

Eventually, I walked off of the job and was later physically assualted by him in front of my family...The best thing I've ever done was to walk away. Straight up, I could've been killed at work by him...Like your old boss, he's my only reference from that job :-P If my new boss needs him as a reference, I'll show him the nice inch long scar on the middle top of my head where the part is...It's a constant reminder to me of just how crazy a supervisor can get.

Tell your next employer what happened and why you left and why you won't give a reference from you last job. MOST employers are human beings too, they will understand and can tell by your demeanor what your trying to tell them. You had a mean boss, full stop.

Honesty is the key -- It's not your fault if it's not your fault.

...I know I could've pressed charges and probably should have, because eventually he phsyically assaulted me with a rock in his hand and split my head wide open in front of my family, blood was gushing everywhere, but to be honest it isn't worth the time and effort to waste it on that one "person".

The point is, you don't want to put your next job or your life in danger with this nut case -- leave them in your dust...I did and it ain't worth it to worry over what one other person thinks about you and what they're going to tell the world about you. Who cares what they think ? It's in the past.

...SHOW the world how professional you are now in front of them and don't let ANYONE think for even a second that you're willing to compromise on what is right and what is wrong -- EARN their respect by your own actions -- believe me they will understand just who you are and what you're about without you having to tell them the whole story...full stop.

Answer 4

It will really depend on company policy. Most companies do not allow ANYONE in the company to give references. The main reason is, as in your case, your ex-boss could decide to tell her "truth" as to the reason you were let go which could cause you to not get the job and would give you recourse. All employers will do verifications of employment and most only include dates and rate of pay. These are normally done by HR or Payroll depending on the set up of the company

Answer 5

As long as you had a supervisor, you could ask them to do it. They are authorized on behalf of the company to do things and not "bother" the boss. Yes, your employer can refuse a good reference whether or not you leave on good / bad terms. All you can do is ask your immediate ex-supervisor and live with their answer whether it's a yes or no.

Oh, and you have no legal standing at all. It's up to them, not you.

Answer 6

I think she can if she is the unit head ( besides no one is going to risk his/her job for yr ref)
You can ask some other senior person to give a personal ref but that shall not have a specific mention of yr company. U can always show other documentations like payslip, appointment letter etc to yr new employer as proof of yr previous job.
If the new employer really wants to employ u then all these papers should suffice. Best of Luck!

Answer 7

Many companies have policies against providing references for liability reasons; those policies apply to everyone in the company. she is well within her rights to prohibit anyone in the company from giving a reference on any former employee.

Now, if she is permitting them to give references to other former employees, just not to you, then she is effectively discriminating against you and you may have legal recourse.

Answer 8

Your former employer is LEGALLY obligied to give a reference stating your Job Title and dates you were there. It is up to her if she passes it to any other member of staff to write comments about you.

Answer 9

Your employer is obligated to provide dates of when you were employed.

I would ask someone else, and call it a personal professional reference. Give their home number with permission, of course.

Answer 10

as far as i know it is illegal to give a bad reference. that said ,a COMPANY can legally refuse to give a reference, again this,ie, a refusal, is taken, that the employee is not a suitable person.