I've worked somewhere for 2 years now, and my boss gives me a bad reference, how can I avoid this?

Question

I've only called off twice, I'm always 10-15 minutes early, and I do my job. In fact I've gotten several raises, and he's constantly praising my work. Yet, every time I apply somewhere, they tell me I had a bad reference. They can't tell me what he said, but they said it was the place I work at now.

How can I avoid this? What it is, is he's trying to keep me. He only has a handful of good workers, and I'm one of them. I know he can't do this, but I want out - NOW! I'm not financially able to take him to court if that's my only option. Oh, and I'm not the only one he's doing this to. There's another girl that's been trying to leave too.

How can I bring him up in job interviews without sounding like I'm lying or that I'm a jerk that doesn't like her boss? I'm so confused. He's such a jerk, and I really want out. I want to work under a photographer to learn and get out of the minimum wage jobs.

Answer 1

It sounds like he is giving bad references to keep you at your current job. Is there another person you can ask to be a reference? A co-worker would work.

Answer 2

Honestly, you can't avoid it. He's going to do whatever he wants to do, but I do have some suggestions that might help.

Until you know whether or not he is going to continue giving bad references, you should find someone else to vouch for you. Co-workers are good, previous bosses are fine, even customers that you've helped in your current job would be great.

As far as bringing him up in interviews, you could explain that he is very distraught about you wanting to leave your job, and he is doing everything he can to keep you around. This way, even if he does give a bad reference, the interviewer might realize that it's only because he doesn't want you to leave.

You could talk to your boss, and I have 3 different scenarios to suggest:

You can be nice about it - you can tell him that you understand he really doesn't want you to find another job, but you really want to pursue a different career. You can remind him of all the good things he's had to say about you, and how much you appreciate his mentoring you, and you wanting to leave has nothing to do with him. Tell him it's your dream to be a photographer, and you would like his help to make the dream come true.

You can be sneaky about it - see if you can get him to write a letter singing your praises because you need one for your youth group, church group, volunteer coalition, whatever after-work activity you can think of. Be ready to back it up, because he might check to see if it's legit. This way, you'll have a letter, and won't need anyone to call him. Also, if he won't write the letter, dig out any emails, proof of your raises, or anything else that would show how well you've done at this job. Put these items together in a portfolio, so when the time comes to discuss references, you can explain the situation and show them the proof of your success.

You can be nasty about it - you could tell him that if he's going to continue lying about you and giving a bad reference that you'll show him exactly what a bad worker is and how a bad worker behaves. I wouldn't recommend this tactic, because it could really jeopardize your current job, but it is an option if you're fed up enough. Also, you could tell him that you'll be calling the labor board and explaining how he has been indirectly harassing you while you're attempting to find a different job.

I would recommend you get other references, and don't have people call him anymore, but still try to get a letter from him as I suggested above.

It's too bad your boss is being like this, because it really will make your successful employment with him end on a sour note when you do find another job.

Good luck, and I hope it works out for you!

Answer 3

Have a friend call him for a reference pretending to be an employer. You can record ( depending on your state law ) You can then approach HR of that company or legal department and present either the recording or the friends explanation of what he did

Answer 4

Let them know that they should not contact your present employer because that would jeopardize you position there