Former employer playing silly buggers regarding reference

[barker22]

Hey guys, well I don't know if anyone will be able to suggest anything to be honest but I just perhaps need to tell someone else as it may make me feel better.
I have worked for company x for 6 1/2 years straight out of school, my work was of high quality and I never had any issues regarding my work or the workforce in general. The management started becoming very difficult towards the last 6 months which basically made me want to leave. With my notice handed in I was treated as a 'lesser' member of the team for 5weeks. I did all jobs given to me but wasn't allowed to work with many people especially the guy that came in to eventually replace me. Now I got to the point where I thought enough was enough and never turned up for my final 2 days. However when I handed my uniform in I had a chat with the MD who sort of understood and promised a reference regarding my work, shake of hands, thanks. all good.

I started with a new company and due to the work which is quite high security clearance due to where I will be working it is required that my former employer fill in a questionnaire about my employment and basically vouch that I have been doing what I say I have been doing, and confirm I am who I say I am. However, he is playing silly buggers and not returning calls when asked for a reference or about this questionnaire. Due to the layout of the company he doesn't take direct calls and is never available

The reference and questionnaire is ESSENTIAL to my new role and without it I cannot be kept on long term. Any suggestions. My new employer cannot get hold of him nor can I. Any suggestions? Can he do that? Sorry for the long post.

[pikeyboy]

Sorry to hear this but I imagine he can be an arse he wants to be.

[GoneAnon]

My new company has a policy that references will only confirm if someone is or has been an employee. No dates, no details.

I guess your ex-boss can provide a reference or not and there is nothing you or the new employer can do to make him,unless the security clearance is government-related, in which case maybe a couple of black Discoveries turning up might focus his mind!

Maybe P60s/pay slips or bank statements would confirm your period of employment?

[TypeRTom]

If there is no company policy stating that they don't give references, or they have given references for other employees then they my understanding is that they can't reasonably refuse to provide a reference for you.

Sometimes these questionaires ask questions that the employer wouldn't want to answer. Can you think of any reason why your employer wouldn't want to give a bare essentials reference (job title, start/end dates)? Maybe you could propose that to them, if you can get in contact.

[WhereamI]

The only requirement is that if a reference is provided it must be accurate.

There is no requirement to provide one, if an employer choses not to provide one then absent some contractual agreement to do so they do not need to di anything.

Always leave an employer on good terms.

[southendpier]

There is an argument about by not providing one means he prejudices a chance of employment then a nasty letter from an employment lawyer should work wonders.

[WhereamI]

southendpier said:

There is an argument about by not providing one means he prejudices a chance of employment then a nasty letter from an employment lawyer should work wonders.

Unless you can show that there is some element of discrimination (sex, race) then there is no legal basis under which such a a letter would be sent. Absent a discrimination angle the obligation to send a reference is moral rather than legal.

ETA I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't try though!

Edited by WhereamI on Wednesday 30th January 04:52

[pincher]

barker22 said:

I started with a new company and due to the work which is quite high security clearance due to where I will be working it is required that my former employer fill in a questionnaire about my employment and basically vouch that I have been doing what I say I have been doing, and confirm I am who I say I am. However, he is playing silly buggers and not returning calls when asked for a reference or about this questionnaire. Due to the layout of the company he doesn't take direct calls and is never available

The reference and questionnaire is ESSENTIAL to my new role and without it I cannot be kept on long term. Any suggestions. My new employer cannot get hold of him nor can I. Any suggestions? Can he do that? Sorry for the long post.

Whilst I have some sympathy for you and your situation, I can't quite understand why your new employer feels it is essential that they have to get confirmation of your history from someone who is under no obligation whatsoever to provide such information?

Surely they should be undertaking their own (independent) background checks in order to establish your suitability to the role? How would they know whether or not your old boss was also your best friend and prepared to lie through his teeth in order for you to get the new job?

I would be batting this back to your new employer and tell them that what they are asking for is unreasonable.

[spikeyhead]

Find someone else in your old company to provide the information.

[bigandclever]

This sounds more than just a reference though, since the OP mentions "security clearance". It's a touch more involved for the referee than 'person x worked here between a and b'.