Companies not doing written references

bs2014

I'm due to leave my current role and go back full time to do a masters. When I asked for a written reference before I left, I was told it was company policy not to them. All they could provide was a letter saying I worked for "X" between "X" details as a "job title". Is this common enough practice? A lot of companies require you to upload a written reference with ones application form. Does not having a written make companies feel there is an underlying negative reason why one isn't available. Also, I feel it leaves me in a lurch as a company can say whatever they want about you in the future especially if it is a company in the same industry who they may not want you to work for. Perhaps this is common enough, I just feel a little let down as any other jobs I had for shorter duration all gave me a written reference and were available as verbal references. Thanks

livedadream

bs2014 wrote: »

I'm due to leave my current role and go back full time to do a masters. When I asked for a written reference before I left, I was told it was company policy not to them. All they could provide was a letter saying I worked for "X" between "X" details as a "job title". Is this common enough practice?

very common.

bs2014 wrote: »

A lot of companies require you to upload a written reference with ones application form.

really? who? out of pure noseyness... ive not come across it.

bs2014 wrote: »

Does not having a written make companies feel there is an underlying negative reason why one isn't available.

nope, we dont offer them, so dont put much sway by them, i know some managers offer personal references via a phone call for someone who is leaving though.

bs2014 wrote: »

Also, I feel it leaves me in a lurch as a company can say whatever they want about you in the future especially if it is a company in the same industry who they may not want you to work for. Perhaps this is common enough, I just feel a little let down as any other jobs I had for shorter duration all gave me a written reference and were available as verbal references. Thanks

seriously, dont worry about it. you can always ask your manger or person you reported to would they mind taking a call if you were successful in getting to that stage.

im a bit further in my career than you but have written references and confirmation of employment references and the usual have them give me a call ones. dont panic, most companies understand large orgs dont offer personal written references.

IBM, VMWware, Apple, Amazon, Version1, SAP etc dont offer personal ones to name a few. dont worry, less stress more success!

SarahMollie

I work in the IT industry and thats all totally normal. The HR dept will just verify that you worked there between X and Y and thats about it.

techdiver

Very common. Companies don't want to open themselves up to legal action based on the opinion of a manager.

_Kaiser_

Agree with the above. At a company level, HR will just issue a letter saying you worked there from x date to y date doing z role

You may be able to get a personal reference from a manager but this would between you and them, and also at their discretion

allibastor

Many places do this, you can be left open for legal trouble for giving both a negative and positive reference ( seriously, I have seen this)

If a manager gives you a glowing reference but they are a "friend" and it turns out you are rubbish at your job, it could damage any relationship between the two companies.

I do reference checks all the time, it is normal to just see dates etc.