Importance of a Reference

MisterAnarchy

I am trying to get some clarification on References.
From what I have read it seems to be illegal for an employer to give a previous employee a bad reference.
I know this is the case in the USA but what about here ?
If for example an employee leaves a job on bad terms with his/her manager can that manager then give future employeers a bad reference ?
I've read differing accounts of this .
Is a good reference vital to one's career ?
Thanks for any info.

RicardoSmith

I'd say its important to be able to give a reference that you know will give you a good reference. I've have 3 or 4 people who I use for references. One of whom is a mate, but was actualy my manager at one time in the past. Others are from past jobs and contracts. I don't get asked that often though. I have had a couple jobs where I didn't get on with a manager and obviously I don't use those people for reference. If you don't have that mch work experience. Its not uncommon to use friends, relatives for references. Even people who know you from clubs and things like that.

MisterAnarchy

I have 5 years senior position experience mostly in 1 job for a large corporation.
I didnt get on with the boss in my latter year.
I have received a good reference from him though..its a long story.
For future information I am trying to discern if an employer can give someone a bad reference.
From what I believe the worst an employer can say is no comment and give the dates of employment.

Borzoi

MisterAnarchy wrote:

.
From what I believe the worst an employer can say is no comment and give the dates of employment.

Not entirely true - this is the safe option for an company. They can of course write that you were a terrible employee, give details and instances, and there's not a lot that you can do if they're true. But a good lawyer has a way of redefining truth, so you could sue, especially if you didn't get the job because of the reference. Really it's just not worth the effort to give a bad reference, but as someone who does the occasional hiring, I tend to look twice at a bare bones 'times and dates' reference.

The Sweeper

The whole reference thing can be frustrating, because it depends as much on the writing ability of your manager as it does on your own performance. I've had managers in the past say to me "write it yourself, then I'll sign it" when they knew I was leaving and I wanted a reference. Realistically, what's the point in that?

I do a lot of hiring in my job and I rarely request a reference. To be honest, if I saw a particularly negative reference I'd be more suspicious of a former employer who has enough of a chip on their shoulder to do that, than I would be of the prospective candidate.

RicardoSmith

Lots of people use bogus references. So Personally I think they are out of date myself.

eth0_

What if you were such a sloppy/malevolent worker that you put the company at risk, or what if you were violent in the workplace? Surely, if asked for a reference, your previous employer would really HAVE to disclose this, or risk having action taken against him if you were to cause a massive f*ck up or become violent in your new job?

RicardoSmith

eth0_ wrote:

What if you were such a sloppy/malevolent worker that you put the company at risk, or what if you were violent in the workplace? Surely, if asked for a reference, your previous employer would really HAVE to disclose this, or risk having action taken against him if you were to cause a massive f*ck up or become violent in your new job?

Thats why they ask for 2 or 3 references?

ionapaul

In California, past employers are now (in large companies particularly) reluctant to give out GOOD references, in addition to not giving out bad ones, for fear of litigation. The reason being a few cases where the previous employers build up the candidate TOO much, they were hired, they turned out to be less than what was described by previous employers, so the new employer sued the reference (the old employer) for misleading information! So you can get sued for giving a good reference (by the new employer) or a bad reference (by the candidate) - hence all they say now is 'candidate x did work here, from x to y'.

Funny old world! System is too easy to manipulate.

frodi

As one who does some hiring I use writen references as a start. I prefer to talk to the person signing it. I ring the work place and ask for them by name. I won't use a personal, home or mobile number unless I can vouch for it's authencity. You can usually tell from the tone of voice etc if it's a genuine good refence or a "dates & times" legal minimum. Luckily I'm in a small industry where most know each other or know somebody who knows somebody and we usually help each other.

PatPete

Don't forget Ireland is a small place and what's described in the last message is more common than you think! Most people in similar industries know someone who knows someone. I am NOT trying to spook you, but just trying to give you the realities of the situation. Now if you were in London then its a different matter entirely and the earlier replies concerning false references are more the norm over there I believe.

Any progress on the other issues we discussed?

RicardoSmith

Knowing someone and giving a official reference is another. Any place thats regimented enough in its process to ask for a reference isn't going to rely on word of mouth.