reference from current employer

grainne_t

Hi all,

I was offered a job last week which i am currently considering and would like to accept. All of my references have been checked and were fine..The problem now is that the prospective employer wants to speak to my current employer once I hand in my notice...This would be fine but i know my employer wont give me a good reference!

We don't see eye to eye at all & they get quite bitter when someone hands in their notice! I know you cant give give someone a bad reference, but they wont give me a good one either! What can I do?

Thanks in advance

Nody

grainne_t wrote:

I know you cant give give someone a bad reference

Wrong, they can give you a bad reference if they can back it up. For example if you're fired due to stealing and you where caught on tape doing it they can note in the reference that you where fired for stealing etc.

The sweet and short version is that it has to be truthful and possible to back up with evidence. This means many companies don't leave a negative reference to protect themselves (they simply confirm you worked from X to Z and say they would not hire you again (; ).

Forgot to add the advice, duh!

Well obviously your first step is to decide if you're handing in your resignation or not (remember you're going to have the same reference problem next time as well)! With the assumption that you do simply explain to your future company that you think you may get a less then glorious review due to previous employees have had bad experience with them. Even better if you can pull it off would be a X to Z reference and say it is company policy but that won't work if they want to call them (which is likely).

I would be very careful in how I word something like this though as critizing your current company is never a good thing.

hunnymonster

Is there someone else in your current job (apart from your direct boss) who could give you a reference. Would this be acceptable to the new employer?

grainne_t

Nody wrote:

Wrong, they can give you a bad reference if they can back it up. For example if you're fired due to stealing and you where caught on tape doing it they can note in the reference that you where fired for stealing etc.

Thanks Noddy, I don't have a bad record within the company, its just that its a small company and my manager won't be happy having to replace me (recruitment costs, training etc)
Forgot to add the advice, duh!

Well obviously your first step is to decide if you're handing in your resignation or not (remember you're going to have the same reference problem next time as well)!

I think it will be ok getting a ref from them down the line - just not the day or week i hand my notice in!

With the assumption that you do simply explain to your future company that you think you may get a less then glorious review due to previous employees have had bad experience with them. Even better if you can pull it off would be a X to Z reference and say it is company policy but that won't work if they want to call them (which is likely).

Yep, they do want to call them as opposed to a written reference.. Could I suggest someone else in the company that I work with?

Nody

grainne_t wrote:

Could I suggest someone else in the company that I work with?

Well this other one could be someone in a lower position that gets "creative with the truth" in regards to their responsability for you. Only doable if you know the two companies have no direct contact etc. as being found out on something like that...

The other option is to provide them someone who can give you a reference and know how you work but is not your direct manager (due to that manager "having longterm sickness/holidays).

Newaglish

If you already have a written job offer they can really take it away on the basis of a bad reference. They should really check references before making job offers!

It's totally up to you who they speak to in your office, you could always give them the extension number of one of your colleagues or a more senior manager who would possibly be more positive.

Nody

Newaglish wrote:

If you already have a written job offer they can really take it away on the basis of a bad reference. They should really check references before making job offers!

Or they do what most companies would do and make the offer but add "under the assumption that your references check out" or something along those lines. Then again one bad reference is unlikely to cancel out 5 good once unless it something very serious (RL threats, claiming to be a project manager and not done it before and only work as project member etc.).

grainne_t

Thanks for the replies guys...it seems to have worked out thank God! I spoke to another senior manager in the company (who was my manager last year) & she is going to provide the reference for me. The recruitment agent I am dealing with said that its perfectly ok!
Thanks for the replies!

AlphaMale 3OO

Wow a recrutiment agent actually got you a job?! Thats some good going!