Right to see reference ?

[nick heppinstall]

Does anyone know if you have a right to see a reference written by your current employer ?

[Kentish]

I don't think anyone is obligated to show you it but the referee is not allowed to give a negative one, if they feel compelled to do so because they have nothing good to say they are supposed to decline and that says all they need to the requester!

[Plotloss]

The DPA is your friend.

The company that wrote it dont have to give it to you as its exempt under a ruling from about 7 years ago.

However, the company that recieved it are obligated under the DPA to let you have it.

£10 and a polite letter.

Job done.

[ofcorsa]

speaking to a HR friend of mine, most request for references are sent a simple letter detailing how they worked there for and leave/sick days. Not sure if thats the same for most places

[boiler]

Kentish said:

I don't think anyone is obligated to show you it but the referee is not allowed to give a negative one,

I don't think that a company is not allowed to give you a negative reference, but they open themselves up to litigation. If they cannot prove everything in the letter, then the damages are likely to be large. In such cases it is easiest to decline....which is what many companies will do, regardless of how well you have worked.


Andy.