Employer using reference to stick the knife in...
Discussion
Right need the collective's advice. Been offered a job elsewhere pending references and a CRB check. Currently working notice.
A mandatory reference was my current manager. The NHS has sent a few forms for her to fill in.
However... The manager and director are now taking the opportunity to stick the knife in. The reference is being handed back and forward hidden under a sheet of paper. I have now been informed by other members of staff that they are taking the opportunity to exercise some sort of petty vendetta.
As a bit of background, this is due to the fact I refused to work on a contract last year because it was morally abhorrent and against the terms of my employment (was verbally assured I wouldn't have to work with said company). In addition to this the director of our "company" flogged me a set of hair straighteners that turned out to be fake so I point blank wanted my money back.
I've never been formally warned, have had 2 authorised sick days and I always go above and beyond (although I suspect this won't be mentioned).
The question is do I go straight to my new employer and point out the fact they appear to be taking the opportunity to exercise their right to be a
holes or do I simply leave it be at the risk of sounding petty?
Typically I would rely on the common sense of the new employer however the new employer is the NHS!
ETA: Oh and I will of course be obtaining a copy of said reference ASAP.
A mandatory reference was my current manager. The NHS has sent a few forms for her to fill in.
However... The manager and director are now taking the opportunity to stick the knife in. The reference is being handed back and forward hidden under a sheet of paper. I have now been informed by other members of staff that they are taking the opportunity to exercise some sort of petty vendetta.
As a bit of background, this is due to the fact I refused to work on a contract last year because it was morally abhorrent and against the terms of my employment (was verbally assured I wouldn't have to work with said company). In addition to this the director of our "company" flogged me a set of hair straighteners that turned out to be fake so I point blank wanted my money back.
I've never been formally warned, have had 2 authorised sick days and I always go above and beyond (although I suspect this won't be mentioned).
The question is do I go straight to my new employer and point out the fact they appear to be taking the opportunity to exercise their right to be a
holes or do I simply leave it be at the risk of sounding petty?Typically I would rely on the common sense of the new employer however the new employer is the NHS!
ETA: Oh and I will of course be obtaining a copy of said reference ASAP.
Edited by G_T on Wednesday 27th January 15:46
I'm no employment lawyer but IINM, if you fail to get the new job on the basis of a duff reference (and if you ask, the NHS in this case have to tell you why you weren't successful) you can request a copy of said reference.
If you find the reference to be in anyway false or defamatory, you can take your former employer to court.
If you find the reference to be in anyway false or defamatory, you can take your former employer to court.
I know even a derogatory reference will probably be fine in that it will very obviously be utter bullst as I have loads of contacts that can vouch for me.
Starting a new job is stressful enough without this ste though!
Doesn't really make me feel like being very productive during my notice period either...
t as I have loads of contacts that can vouch for me.Starting a new job is stressful enough without this s
te though!Doesn't really make me feel like being very productive during my notice period either...
GT03ROB said:
An employer who uses a reference to stick the knife in, is daft as a brush. It is legal proceedings all the way & they know it. Most employers who have something negative to say simply do not give a reference, period. It means much the same thing.
There's ways around it though. Deliberately vague answers and undermining someones achievements in open ended questions is easy enough to do.I've only glanced at the forms but I dare say with a bit of a creative writing they could easily undervalue me to the point that it would be complete fiction, but impossible for me to take them to court.
Just boils my piss. You work your guts out then some jealous w
ker decides to take the opportunity to undermine you.Will I download animal porn on the directors computer and piss in the kettle before I leave?
Thought it was already boiled?Somewhatfoolish said:
qube_TA said:
It's illegal to give a bad reference, at best you can just refuse to give one.
RubbishPay someone to be your manager.
This is how everyone else does it in your situation.
Just ask a colleague to write you one for some housekeeping money.
If you don't want to do this do what I do and agree a limited reference such as "good at x", i.e. without mentioning "disagree on / bad at Y" that your manager doesn't see eye to eye with you over.
Your manager may be glad to close the issue like this.
This is how everyone else does it in your situation.
Just ask a colleague to write you one for some housekeeping money.
If you don't want to do this do what I do and agree a limited reference such as "good at x", i.e. without mentioning "disagree on / bad at Y" that your manager doesn't see eye to eye with you over.
Your manager may be glad to close the issue like this.
As much as I'd love to have bribed a colleagu, unfortunately the reference specifically stated it had to be my line manager and everybody knows everybody in our business so the new boss would have known it to be a forgery.
It's fine. I've a good relationship with a lot of senior colleagues and clients. I'm sure any of them would be willing to give a more accurate description of my working capababilities should the need arise.
I appreciate the thought though chap.
It's fine. I've a good relationship with a lot of senior colleagues and clients. I'm sure any of them would be willing to give a more accurate description of my working capababilities should the need arise.
I appreciate the thought though chap.
st_files said:
G_T said:
director of our "company" flogged me a set of hair straighteners that turned out to be fake so I point blank wanted my money back
Sorry, but that made me chuckle. Seems so incongruous....My mates thought it was f
kin hilarious, I thought it was quite stressful.G_T said:
st_files said:
G_T said:
director of our "company" flogged me a set of hair straighteners that turned out to be fake so I point blank wanted my money back
Sorry, but that made me chuckle. Seems so incongruous....My mates thought it was f
kin hilarious, I thought it was quite stressful.G_T said:
However... The manager and director are now taking the opportunity to stick the knife in. The reference is being handed back and forward hidden under a sheet of paper. I have now been informed by other members of staff that they are taking the opportunity to exercise some sort of petty vendetta.
How do you know this? If two senior people were doing that they'd surely keep quite about it and not tell someone who is clearly a confidant to you. Who is sneaking peeks at your reference?Edited by bonsai on Tuesday 2nd February 18:08
bonsai said:
G_T said:
However... The manager and director are now taking the opportunity to stick the knife in. The reference is being handed back and forward hidden under a sheet of paper. I have now been informed by other members of staff that they are taking the opportunity to exercise some sort of petty vendetta.
How do you know this? If two senior people were doing that they'd surely keep quite about it and not tell someone who is clearly a confidant to you. Who is sneaking peeks at your reference?Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff