references from US based companies in Ireland

RoyalMarine

Hi,

Wondering if anyone knows, do companies have the right to refuse to provide references? More specifically, US companies based in Ireland.

I mean, point blank refuse to give one for any reason.

Tom Dunne

Turn that question around - how can you compel somebody/some company to give a reference?

RoyalMarine

Good point. But are they allowed to refuse to provide any documentation stating that you worked for the company?

I'll explain the situation. Friend of mine is applying for a position at the company I work for. His current company have a policy in place that if you apply for a job somewhere else, you don't get any assistance from them and they won't provide written documentation or phone information to the new company.

Ultimately, my friend is looking for a letter stating what he did in his current role, when he started, and that he actually turned up for work etc.
I guess its just proof that he worked there and didn't call in sick all the time. Which I think is reasonable to request from any company.

Greenmachine

Nobody has to provide you with a reference if they don't want to. It is a tough situation as sometimes an employer or agencies only considers references from your most recent jobs. Is it possible for one of your friends manager to provide a work reference in a personal capacity. This rule may only apply whilst he is currently working for his current employer.

RoyalMarine

He spoke to his current manager, and the manager advised that HR have a strict rule that no employee can act in any capacity to provide information. To save his own job, he wont provide any information.

Tom Dunne

RoyalMarine wrote: »

But are they allowed to refuse to provide any documentation stating that you worked for the company

But it's the same thing, isn't it? How can you compel one person or company to provide documentation, outside of a court case?

It's the sad reality, I'm afraid.

skallywag

I think the chap's manager is being a bit unreasonable here, he could at least offer to speak informally, privately and outside of working hours with the new company, i.e. in such a way as to leave no paper trail, etc.

Lemming

I was told when I did a stint in Microsoft that they "don't do references". It's policy. Nothing to do with the manager being unreasonable.

jaymcg91

I've also worked for a US multinational here who flat out refused to give any type of reference. My boss said they'd been sued in the US previously because of the content of references provided in the past, so now they stay out of it.

skallywag

It's still possible to put in a good word in or someone without actually giving a formal reference, I've done this myself for former employees.

highlandseoghan

No company has to give a reference. If an employee gets fired / let go and that employee puts down the company and a new employer rings them the old company will say we have no comment or yes X worked here but thats all we are saying which always makes new companies think there is something wrong and they move on to the next suitable candidate.

What I would suggest is if nobody in the company is willing to give your friend a reference the get him to get references from other companies if he has worked in other jobs. I also think he should show the company that he is looking to join a copy of the rules where it states the old company dont give out references that way the new employer will know its a general company policy and just get your friend to explain this to the new company.

Mrs OBumble

jaymcg91 wrote: »

I've also worked for a US multinational here who flat out refused to give any type of reference. My boss said they'd been sued in the US previously because of the content of references provided in the past, so now they stay out of it.

However some of the multi-nationals are quite unreasonable: they insist on getting references, but (officially at least) refuse to give any.

This really is quite anti-competitive (mmm, I wonder if there are legal grounds to challenge their policy on that), because labour markets work best when there is free exchange of information.

_Kaiser_

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

However some of the multi-nationals are quite unreasonable: they insist on getting references, but (officially at least) refuse to give any.

I had this experience with a multinational in my former life.. I was moving between 2 of them and just asked /reminded them about their own policy. That was the end of that and I got the role.

In general my experience is that they'll give you a letter saying that you worked in x role from y daye to z date but that's about it.. anything else would be a personal reference only that you have to arrange yourself with your boss or colleagues.

RoyalMarine

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I had this experience with a multinational in my former life.. I was moving between 2 of them and just asked /reminded them about their own policy. That was the end of that and I got the role.

In general my experience is that they'll give you a letter saying that you worked in x role from y daye to z date but that's about it.. anything else would be a personal reference only that you have to arrange yourself with your boss or colleagues.

The issue is, they won't even acknowledge that he worked at all. They said they take no phone calls from other companies asking information at all. Even to confirm that he worked there.

It's as if it's a slap in the face for leaving. No history, no records, just there's the door.

I guess he can use his payslips and his contract, but for anyone who does not have their contract or never received one, it sounds like a horrible situation to be in.

Anyway, thanks for all the help!