An employee is leaving

[Levo-Lon]

Your not allowed to give a bad reference as I understand it.

As for her seeing it? Tell her you won't send one ...that will get her thinking.

No reference is seen as a don't employ

 

[subaqua]

You can’t say anything bad . But you don’t have to say anything good .

Work ones basically say

Mr/Mrs X worked at YYYY for ZZ years and carried out their duties.

Not sure if they have the right to see it

@User ???

 

[BoldonLad]

If you are her line manager, don't you have access to advice supplied by your Employer (ie HR department, or, some outside agency (ACAS) they use for such things).

In all matters of Employment Law, be sure to get it right, was always my motto.

 

[drummerbod]

Nope - the recipient (potential employer) is subject to disclosure but not the issuer of the reference. Is it any wonder references are now very short and merely contain details of start date, end date and position held.

https://www.dur.ac.uk/data.protection/specialist_advice/references/

 

[DCLane]

[QUOTE 5095418, member: 76"]And has sent me an email saying that under the Data Protection Act I have an obligation to show her the reference I intend to write for her.

Is this right? I have never come across it before using this particular piece of legislation.[/QUOTE]

No she doesn't, although it's good practice. I'd make sure it gives the basics only; dates, job role(s).

Nice employee then?

 

[BoldonLad]

[QUOTE 5095456, member: 76"]I won't behaving one of those 'what can I do to get you to stay' conversations [/QUOTE]

I always avoided Line management roles!

Mrs @BoldonLad was a line manager. Her technique for employees such as you describe, was, short reference, but, if a potential employer had the wit to make a telephone call, then.....

Secondly, she NEVER employed anyone unless she could speak to their former employer on the phone.

Seemed to work, only once in 30 years did she get a dud.

 

[postman]

To whom it may concern.

Mrs Xyz has always been punctual,especially at the end of the working day.Also none of her colleagues or line managers are going to her leaving do.


That is short sweet and to the point.

 

[swansonj]

Does anyone know the figures on employers getting into trouble for writing negative things in a reference? Is the current fad for writing bland and therefore unhelpful references a response to a real problem, or just scaremongering?

 

[Lullabelle]

I always avoided Line management roles!

Mrs @BoldonLad was a line manager. Her technique for employees such as you describe, was, short reference, but, if a potential employer had the wit to make a telephone call, then.....

Secondly, she NEVER employed anyone unless she could speak to their former employer on the phone.

Seemed to work, only once in 30 years did she get a dud.

The production manager at our place will take anyone off the street-literally-they will be fine, a bit of training is all they need apparently and he ends up being bitten on the bum time and again, he never learns he has been asked for a reference but doesn't have a clue.

 

[biggs682]

Keep it sweet and simple works

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Regarding the myth of "you can't say anything bad"

What you provide must be accurate and truthful, and something that, if challenged, can be objectively demonstrated.

Reference HR and the post above by User. If only line managers stuck to the above maxim, then perhaps references wouldn't have become as constrained as they now are

 

[Chris S]

Does anyone know the figures on employers getting into trouble for writing negative things in a reference?

In my experience they just do it verbally over the phone.

 

[swee'pea99]

Dear Ms X

I am not aware of any such obligation. Please be good enough to cite the relevant clause(s) of the Act.

 

[MontyVeda]

Two former bosses, after I've asked them for a reference, have told me to write it, email it and they'd sign it!

Whether any subsequent employers have asked them for the references, i've no idea.