Writing a letter of recommendation for a mearly average employee...?

Question

A former employee requested a letter of recommendation for a summer internship. Normally I don't have an issue with writing a letter, but for this particular person I don't really have anything to say about them. Their work was generally adequate, they were generally reliable (perhaps late on several occasions), and they go along fine with their co-workers. However, I can't every remember the person showing much initiative or putting forth much more than the minimum required effort. Furthermore, I don't really know much about this person on a personal level.

What would I say for a person like this. I don't have any negative feelings toward this person, but they are not someone I would immediately recommend for anything.

comic_sf: Let me be clear about one thing, this person was not a bad employee. There just wasn't anything special or exceptional about their work or effort.

Answer 1

That's a tough situation to be in.
I think a lot of people would be honest with the employee, and say they dont think they would be able to write a glowing recommendation.

Now that you've agreed to do it, however, focus on his/her strong points that you've mentioned in this question. Leave out the bad parts, since this person just wants another shot at another opportunity.

Answer 2

If you are in the UK... or assuming rules are similar to the UK's... you cannot say anything overtly negative about an employee in a reference, as this can give them grounds to sue. For example, an employee of an organisation was caught fiddling the petty cash. He decided to jump before he was pushed and applied for another job. The Chief Exec stated the facts in the reference and was sued for libel, as nothing had been proved (even disciplinary action or termination of employment for their behaviour doesn't constitute legal proof of misdemeanour).

The worst reference one can give is a statement of the period of service and the sickness record and pretty much nothing else. Others read this as a bad reference. A good reference includes positive statements about their skills and abilities and usually states that you would employ this person again.

Even worse is a refusal to give a reference, which automatically implies you cannot say anything good about them so are unable to say anything at all.

Whether you put anything other than the bare facts depends on whether you think they deserve the job and will be someone the organisation would want working for them.

Answer 3

It is appropriate in many cases. For example, if the employee was not trained in the company policy and it was for a mistake resulting from that lack of training. Not everyone is aware that it is not a good idea to discuss salaries, for example. That mistake is so egregious and exposes the company to litigation that it means the violating employee has to be dismissed, yet outside of that one area the employee may have been exemplary. So the recommendation must be couched carefully. That is, there was a mistake, and without that mistake, the employee would have been in good standing. You do not need and should not delineate the nature of the mistake. This will help the terminated employee seek other jobs without exposing the employer to wrongful termination actions.

Answer 4

If you value your reputation in your field, then don't write the letter. Interns shouldn't be slacking off and it sounds like that's exactly what this particular person did. The whole point is to make an impression and learn something and from what I read, the exact opposite is what happened.

I also think you'd be doing the employee a disservice by writing anything positive about their work. They're just not interested in the work you do, so anything positive might encourage them to stay in the field and be potentially unhappy.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

If this person did not do a "commendable" job, then your 'recommendation' would be insincere and untruthful unless you say exactly what you said in your description of this persons performance. I would politely tell this person that you weren't impressed with his/her performance, and can only give an acknowledgement of employment. Some people, unfortunately think that their mere presence deserves special acknowledgement.

Answer 7

just emphasize on the better qualities like getting along well with coworkers. if you don't mention any of the things like reliability or quality of their work the new employer will know that you eliminated for a reason and make their decision on that.

Answer 8

just say you were overall satisfied and that you would recommend them :D

if ya have no real beef with him, the right thing to do is help him out by writing the letter :D

Answer 9

Hey....come on...u have nothing to lose....and you will end up making someone happy...which really counts...so go on and write that letter even if your hearts not in it.

Answer 10

Whatever you choose to do, your message will come across more effectively if you use spellcheck before sending it..."mearly"...haha.