Job reference query

[redandgreen]

i don't want to use my present boss as a referee. of the five people that have left in the past year, due to inability to work with her, i know for a fact two received bad references. can i name one of my previous colleages that i worked with at this company as a referee even though they no longer work there? any advice would be appreciated, i'm really concerned.

many thanks

[Ward-Minter]

I would use your personnel manager or HR. Simply as a reference for sickness and lenght in office. mark as confidential so your manager need not even know.

Then use a personal reference for your more redeeming features. A professional friend will be fine for this.

[redandgreen]

Thank you. My boss is the Director, it's a small company & she oversees everything. We don't have anyone employed in HR and my work colleages are all new - as everyone else keeps leaving!! so i couldn't even ask one of them to write a reference for me.

[Ward-Minter]

OK how about writing one for her with facts she can nbot dispute.

i.e I can confirm Ms Bloggs has worked for Bloggs company for X Years and has only had X days off sick. During the term of their employment they have received no disciplinary action.

This reference is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed

Witch from Hell

[redandgreen]

ha ha, her nickname in the office is actually witchy! that's a very good suggestion though.

[angel-cake]

I think you will find that most future employers will expect you to use your current employer as a reference. It will look suspicious if you don't.

If you are offered a new job then perhaps you could speak to your new employer to explain the situation - at least they would be aware of it.

Something to keep in mind - if she writes anything bad that is untrue (libel) - you could actually take her to court.

[malaise]

I actually don't think you're allowed to give a bad reference AT ALL, even if it's true. You can refuse to give a reference, or give a good one. Seem to remember one of the law students at my previous work babbling on about this when we had a simlilar problem. x

[tomestone]

log on to the DTI web site they have employment sections that have this answer

[spaced]

your boss cannot give you a bad reference, she can only refuse to give one....which is worse!