I'm looking for a new job, can my employer give a bad reference?

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Kristen	o hun don't worry about it....most "new jobs" dont' contact the previous employer unless they truely feel it is needed....they normally call your references in order to check about attendance stature...meaning....are you dependable?...responsible..yada yada....brush it off... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

veljoe2003	Your Past employer is able to legally answer any questions that was work/job related, even if that information is negative. However many employers, to avoid saying the wrong thing will typically only provide or confirm employment dates and Job title. Your previous employer may not answer questions of a personal nature, nor should any personal questions be asked. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

charlie	They can't it's illegal. They can send a letter just confirming the dates that you worked for them, or not reply at all. A new employer will read into what HASN'T been said. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

bails	They cant give a bad reference but they can refuse to give one though. They can however say in all truthfullness that your attendance record wasn't very good in the end, so if I were you I'd be up front with any prospective employers. Having worked for your employers for 7 years they will appreciate you must have be a valuable employee for most of the time Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

paultoledo34	they can do anything try to give a supervisor that u got along with the number it might help.good luck Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

buckeyegirl	personally, i'd find someone else to do the reference. shouldn't affect attendance, though, if you have doctor's excuse! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

sparkle	It is illegal to give a bad reference. If a bad reference is given, it can incur a law suit. However your employer can simply refuse to give a reference. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Jay	Employers can and do give bad references even though the law doesn't permit it. Legally, all they can do is verify basic information, such as how long you worked there, the dates, your position and pay scale. Unfortunately they break the law with some frequency when they have a grudge. It is difficult to win in court because you have to be able to prove two things. Number one that they did it. Number two that it impacted you because you didn't get the new job as a result. Good Luck, you will just have to keep putting applications. Sometimes it helps to be honest with a potential employer when you KNOW that the ref is going to be bad. Best to just say, we had a personality conflict. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

kaff	They can I believe, but they have to tell you. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Nova	Legally they can only say: 1. The dates that you worked there 2: If they would hire you back. If you are sueing them, I'm sure they don't want to be sued for more crap. Plus, you can easily find out by having a friend call and pretend to be a human resource person. Just make sure that they ONLY ask if you were employed, when and if they would hire you back. If they ask more stuff, your employer will know it's not real. Hey, just got an idea..record it if you can. If they say bad stuff about you, you have more you can sue them for ! Good luck. Don't let a** holes get you down. That gives them power. And they do not deserve the power to affect you. Living well is THE best revenge! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

TATRAFAN	No I don`t think they can, but they can refuse to give you a reference at all and your future employer will read this as a negative. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

chuppkaychuppkay	To protect your self indicate that you will like to have a copy of the recommendations made by the references and if they reflect dishonesty and prejudice sue them for big bucks and to give a lesson regarding decency and honesty Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Jason W	They can decline to give one, which is as bad as no reference Jason W Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Brian.H	Your employer can say whatever they want, but when they have to go the industrial court they will get caught out. The best mediums to lie over these days are the telephone and of course the internet. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

javy	Yes, but the truth will make you free. As you said, you have a legal case going on so, the court will decide. I am presuming that the court is not corrupt and justice will prevail. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

What the Heck	You could get a colleague from your place of work to give a character reference as opposed to a works reference. Problem is, some company policies are to write direct to your last employer. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

chris	i think you should just keep trying to do what you were doing it doesn't matter if you got sick !!!!!!!! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

john v	If an Employer gives a "Bad" reference they are breaking the law ..They either have to give you a good reference or no reference at all..On the basis of the latter option a perspective employer would not take kindly to you being unable to provide a reference ..As far as the Attendence record is concerned this also is a negative reference as far as any future empoyer is concerned Sorry its only bad news I would advise that you take up your discrimatory complaint with an Industrial tribunal and/or see a solicitor who deals with such matters ,,,your local solicitors office should have a qualified emploment related solicitor on their staff Good Luck Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

path2631	Ask them not to contact that reference and give a brief discussion why, Hopefully you have copies of your job performances that you can show them before all this came up. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

paintedtearz	In the UK they can refuse to give you a reference which is just as bad because your next employer will be wondering why. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

cat-cat	i am not sure how you got the six months off..if it is by the family leave act then no it will not go into future empolyment reference..but if it is just medical leave yes it can be considered in the hiring ....there are many factors considered in the hiring process and even your credit report can go into consideration when someone is hiring you...if you are in default on loans or child support is behind this too is a factor.... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Winters child	you have a reason to be out of work. If you want and are ready to look for another position, make sure you get clearance from your employer that they will give you a good reference. 7 years is a long time to work for one employer. that speaks for its self. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

capa-de-monty	if you arnt happy with your employer then the chance's are they arnt happy with you. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

P B	they cannot give a bad reference they can only not respond to the request for a reference which is just as bad as sending a bad one in the new employers eyes. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

stephasoris	A letter of reference needs to be requested. If you believe that they will give you a bad one, then just dont ask. As far a your new job calling your old one, unless you put them down as a reference on your resume/application....all that the new job can do is ask them to confirm that you worked there, they cannot ask any character questions...that would be illegal. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

NicksClicks01@yahoo.com : Happy!	yeah your going to have trouble with a job buddy Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

wcanoodle	Don't worry about it. There is nothing else you could have done probably. You just have to take it one day at a time. If you can get a job at a temp agency and work there about 6 weeks and when they don't give you enough work, file for unemployment due to "lack of work" and they will take out the unemployment against your employer that discriminated against you. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Darcy B	yes but they can only state the facts like tardiness work ethic those thing nothing personal and if your in a suit with them more then likely their lawyer will tell them not to say anything Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

baby_face_paris	By law, I don't think they can actually write a bad reference, ie stating what they think of you etc. They have to be factual. So, for example, if your time-keeping was bad or you had poor attendance ,they can mention it but they cannot make personal remarks. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

MadforMAC	there are ways employers can say something negative without saying something directly. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

shaun	if your in the UK, then NO they cannot but if you have broken the law whilst working for the company then they have to dislose to your new employer, must companies now just give a generic reference Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No