CV referees question...

cono121

Ok its this time of the year again, job hunting.....student:rolleyes:

But i just need to get something cleared up, its nothing to do with my own referees, or last job, just a general question about referees on the cv

Ok my last job, my manager and I were discussing various different topics...etc
The CV came up in the convo, he said to me: if he was to give me a reference to my next future employer, he IS NOT allowed state to the my future employer if "I worked hard, i was lazy so and so, i was always late....etc", ONLY that i worked for him for a period of time. He said he can get in deep sh** for stating of this when giving a reference, is this true, by law!?

Just reckin' me head...

Larianne

Yes I heard this as well from 2 former employers. One of my managers said she couldn't even give me a reference. That if a reference was needed, they had to be directed to HR where they would give the potential new employer dates of when I worked for the company and nothing else. They can't give a personal reference.

AARRRGH

You can say anything you want as long as it is true. I'm not sure why so many HR people and managers can't grasp this!

For example, if you were late 5 times, your manager can say this when he's giving you a reference. If you were lazy and you got a warning about this, your manager can say this when he's giving you a reference.

As long as it's true, no problem.

Xcellor

Yeah this is true. Most companies will only give

Mr X worked here from this date to this date and performed the role of such and such a role. Sincerely HR.

This is because a reference can be used to decide whether or not to hire someone, if its bad and contains details that cannot be backed up it might be considered slanderous. You could get someone to provide you with the reference rather than directly to the recruiter so you can see what it says, if you are happy with its contents then you can provide this to the recruiter.

I've had to do reference checks for companies recruting people who worked for me. These are conducted over the phone but no doubt my answers were recorded. Course I never say anything nasty about people who used to work for me

cono121

Thanks Larianne, its been bothering me so much, my mate wudn't believe me since he said he's "gonna get brilliant references off two of his last employers for this new job application"... i disagreed only 50% sure on the issue, but cool, ill warn him, for the sake of his past employers

Xcellor

AARRRGH wrote: »

You can say anything you want as long as it is true. I'm not sure why so many HR people and managers can't grasp this!

For example, if you were late 5 times, your manager can say this when he's giving you a reference. If you were lazy and you got a warning about this, your manager can say this when he's giving you a reference.

As long as it's true, no problem.

Yes but it can get difficult to back things up and perhaps there are even privacy concerns? Releasing sensitive information about the attendance records of an employee to someone without authorization from that person could get you in trouble with data comissioner.

AARRRGH

Xcellor wrote: »

Yes but it can get difficult to back things up and perhaps there are even privacy concerns? Releasing sensitive information about the attendance records of an employee to someone without authorization from that person could get you in trouble with data comissioner.

Ah but by using them as a reference you've given them permission to talk about your work history.

I agree with your back things up comment though. Don't say anything you can't prove!

Dave!

Xcellor wrote: »

This is because a reference can be used to decide whether or not to hire someone, if its bad and contains details that cannot be backed up it might be considered slanderous.

This is the truth.

Most of my managers have been willing to give me good personal references, but 1 or 2 just gave the 'Dave worked for us between x and y and did z' crap.

It's often company policy to give that type of reference, because they just aren't bothered dealing with any problems that may result from the former employee or the new employer being unhappy with the reference for whatever reason.

BC

It depends on the company. Some will still give detailed references but as others have said they are very careful to ensure that everything is accurate. As long as its true its okay.