need a reference

subway

need some advice on this as im not sure what to do.

ive been offered a new job based on my experience and expertise in my current role.
this role has no qualifcations etc but the experience is directly related to the job im going for.
the problem now is that my current employer only offer standard references and my new employer want real references.
none of my other expericen is related to the new job so theres not much point giving a reference from them.

does anyone have any idea how to approach and explain this situation to the new employer without it sounding like im covering some dark secret...

thanks

seamus

Sorry mate, I don't fully understand the situation re: experience & jobs.

Your old job has given you experience which you told the new job you have, but the old job only give standard references?

Perhaps you could have a chat with your direct boss and explain the situation to him?

subway

thats pretty much it.
i didnt bul**** in the interview but i did basically get the job based on the experience i have.
its almost unheard of for this position to be offered to someone my age.
it kind of seems the new company are doubting me becasue my employer will say nothing besides "subway worked here from xx/xx/xxxx to present"

ive already spoken to my boss and have basically been told its company policy to only give the standard reference.

BossArky

Give you current bosses email address and phone number to your new employeer. They can then ring / email for a chat about you. This should do the job.

subway

ive asked my boss can i do that and ive already been told no.
ill just tell the new employer and hope they understand.

Tom Dunne

Any chance someone who works with you can give a reference. They might have to "inflate" their seniority a tad, but someone who knows you and knows what you do could be an option.

kmick

There is nothing you can do about a company who will not give you more than a standard reference. I have had this problem in the past. I would play it very cool with your new company and tell them nicely it is their HR departments problem. Then keep your head down - do not get involved. If they want you enough they will pass over it. It is a employees market at the moment so you should be ok.

Mind you it is ridiculous that your manager will not give you one. Have you been a naughty boy. Have you considered the fact they might not want to give you a reference.

subway

havent been "naughty"
they just wont give me a reference as its not policy.
theyve done it plenty of people in the past - its just unfortiunate that i dont have any other references to give.

Kinetic^

I was in the same position as the OP last week. I was given a written reference which said I worked there for a period of time. Due to this crap reference, in my new job I've to do a 4 week trial and providing it goes well then I'll be given a permanent job. Now I know the 4 week trial isn't going to be an issue so if you feel the same about your job then explain the situation to your new employer and ask him how feels about offering you a trial.

According to my solicitor, references with any substance are becoming less frequent these days due to a court case that was held over in the U.S. A financial services company gave this dude a good reference even though he was crap at his job. His new job hired him based on this reference and when everything went sh!t side up, the guy's new place sued his old place due to not being told the whole story. I'm sorry I can't be more specific but that's all I remember from what he told me.

subway

ive heard the exact same thing.
im going to send a mail to the new employer now.

ill see what happens

Wishbone Ash

kmick wrote:

Mind you it is ridiculous that your manager will not give you one. Have you been a naughty boy. Have you considered the fact they might not want to give you a reference.

There is no statutory requirement for an employer to provide a reference for an employee. Many employers have a policy of not providing one regardless of the merits of an employee.

Kinetic^

subway wrote:

ive heard the exact same thing.
im going to send a mail to the new employer now.

ill see what happens

I'd probably talk to him in person or on the phone about this as it's very serious. You could end up losing the new job and then be in the old job with a boss that knows you want out!!!!!!!! :eek:

subway

too late just sent a mail to them now.
ill see what happens when they reply.

Kinetic^

:eek: I kid I kid Don't worry man, you've explained what the situation is and that's all you can do. Unfortunately it's out of your hands for the time being.

Might be an option to get your new employer to ring up and ask if indeed getting no reference is company policy, might show that what you're saying is true.

kippy

There is nothing you can do about a company who will not give you more than a standard reference. I have had this problem in the past. I would play it very cool with your new company and tell them nicely it is their HR departments problem. Then keep your head down - do not get involved. If they want you enough they will pass over it. It is a employees market at the moment so you should be ok.

Mind you it is ridiculous that your manager will not give you one. Have you been a naughty boy. Have you considered the fact they might not want to give you a reference.

Many companies nowadays dont even give references. Although most seem to just give the standard "worked here for x years" type ones.
If you new employer cant understand that this is the policy of the company you are leaving, there isn't much, in fairness that you can do.
I have worked in places where there was strictly no references given however I have found, that by getting on with my bosses well, meant that they give me a telephone reference-but by doing these they were taking a risk.
Kippy

subway

thatll be the next step.
hopefully it wont need to go that far and theyll understand my position.

its a hr to hr thing anway,
so hopefully they can work it out between themselves.
the new manager wants me in and my current manager would like to give me a reference but cant due to this policy.