What to do if your employer wont give a reference??

Twitterer

Sell yourself to the best of your abilities.Don't worry.

Paul

Your previous employer is not obliged to provide a reference and if pushed could potentially give a poor one, although most companies are too concerned about the legal implications to provide references of any depth these days.

Try to find someone else you could use as professional reference, either or a manager, supervisor or someone similar with whom you had a good relationship at the copany or perhaps even a previous employer before that.

I wouldn't worry too much about the interview. They'll be more interested in finding out the kind of person you are and if you sell yourself well on your strengths. An interview might ask if you have any references to confirm you are who you say you are and to support the information on your CV/application form, but are unlikely to dwell on them during the interview unless you give them cause to!

drewy monster

perhaps the truth and see were that takes you..

Sreeji S Nair

u might be having some sort of proof for the salary u've received frm the company which in term u can use to prove ur work experience. u may tell ur new employer why u r unable to produce the reference.

Judy

He doesn't have to give you a reference.

Employers LEGALLY have to give a reference - even if it is only to confirm you worked there on the dates you said you did.

AlienCat

Just remember that a 'reference' can be good or bad!! Even if he agrees to give one he could give a bad report on you that jeopardises your new job.

Try to find another professional person who will give you a 'recommendation' which (by definition of being a recommendation) will be positive!

Ginny Jin

1. Ask a sympathetic colleague in your office to do one. That happened when I left one job, human resources refused to give me one so my line manager gave me one as a personal favour.
2. Failing that, any adult in a responsible job you have known for 2 plus years.

There is no legal requirement for employers to give references in the UK, except in some regulated industries.

If it is standard practise that your employer gives references though, and they are only refusing you it could be construed as discrimination.

However, references should be accurate and not misleading to the company that has requested it.

See this link for more info http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/StartingANewJob/DG_10026703

You could just say that it was your last employer's policy not to give references.

kr@zyk1w1

One thing I've learned about references is that ppl will only show a good one at an interview and if you left this job on bad terms I wouldnt be hoping for a good reference. Depending on how long you worked there, you could say you worked from home or travelled. lol Just an idea.

Nickyâ™¥

Your employer is obliged to give you a reference - but he doesn't have to put any positive points about you. He can say that you worked from such and such a date and your duties and that's all.

Lor24

I thought by law they had to give you a reference. Just try to be as honest as you can but so it doesnt look bad on u

princevince

I am currently looking for alternative employment but I am concerned that my boss won't give me a good reference if a company I've applied to gets in touch. He may say something bad about me on the phone(i dont work in an office, so no email address for my boss) without my knowledge to the potential employer, blowing my chances even before interview. Many companies these days don't even acknowledge your application form/CV unless they call you to interview so I wouldnt get any feedback unless i chase them up which takes time plus money spent on phonecalls. Im only a cleaner in a department store.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: