Giving someone a bad reference

[Kirstie]

Has anyone done this? If so what were the ramifications? Did it come back on you in any way? I am about to be put in a position where I give a reference for someone I would not wish on others in that particular role!

 

[ttcycle]

By law Kirstie, you're not allowed to give a bad reference - as people can sue for defamation of character though it rarely happens.

If you didn't think they were up for the role - the best thing to do is to refuse a reference or to give very lukewarm reference that just answers the basic questions but safer to not offer one

 

[ACW]

it is my understanding that you have to tell the truth

 

[ttcycle]

the above still applies though

 

[Kirstie]

Ah ok ttcycle this is why the reference system is really bad at predicting the quality of job performances. So would something like 'I'm would prefer not to express an opinion' be appropriate in these circs?

 

[Norm]

By law Kirstie, you're not allowed to give a bad reference - as people can sue for defamation of character though it rarely happens.

My understanding is that you can give a bad reference but you must be willing to support anything you write in court. That means that, for bad employees, most refuse to give a reference or just give the basic minimum information.

 

[wafflycat]

You have to be truthful, but you can't give a bad reference. You have to be very careful about your wording.

 

[marzjennings]

As a policy my old company did not give out references. The only paper work they would provide would detail length of employment and position held. Nothing else. I have provided this information for staff leaving the team, but always included my contact details in case a future employer would like to discuss things over the phone. Nothing in writing that could come back to you.

 

[ttcycle]

I suppose so- you sometimes get employers who give a fantastically glowing reference to get rid of a member of staff they didn't like.

You could say that or simply I do not wish to provide a reference. You don't need to give a reason why- probably best not to.

Come across a lot of people who have the experience in a job but it doesn't nec mean they are good at it but by the nature of our employment system these people move into roles further up when they weren't any good in the first place.

 

[swee'pea99]

Ah ok ttcycle this is why the reference system is really bad at predicting the quality of job performances. So would something like 'I'm would prefer not to express an opinion' be appropriate in these circs?

Absolutely. And does the job - 'no reference' speaks volumes.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I have!

I was asked for a reference for someone I'd sacked - no idea why he put my name down.

Don't know how he got on but I haven't been attacked by him.......yet!!

You're not under any obligation to respond, as far as I'm aware, if you feel uncomfortable about it.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I've never given a reference, but one of my exes used to write (and read) them all the time, as the admissions tutor at a University. She told me that anyone reading a reference knows to read between the lines, and a reference full of faint praise is quite a damning thing.

 

[Panter]

[quote name='swee'pea99']Absolutely. And does the job - 'no reference' speaks volumes.[/QUOTE]

+1

I was in this position last Year so just refused to give one.

 

[Greedo]

Worked in recruitment for years and you have a few options Kirstie.

1. You can refuse to give a reference
2. You can give the most blatant and blunt responses in your answers and someone with half a brain will get what you're talking about.
3. You can give a "bad" reference as such if you have evidence to support it. I.E poor performance plans they were on, documented meetings which you had and were signed by both parties about anything specific they were disciplined for.
4. Give the ref and your phone number if they wish to discuss further and tell them the truth on the phone.


The thing I would ask though is you always come across as a decent sort. Would it not be easier to just give a basic ref, forget about it and let the new employers deal with them. Live and let live and all that.....

Unless they really done something bad that is

 

[Kirstie]

Worked in recruitment for years and you have a few options Kirstie.

1. You can refuse to give a reference
2. You can give the most blatant and blunt responses in your answers and someone with half a brain will get what you're talking about.
3. You can give a "bad" reference as such if you have evidence to support it. I.E poor performance plans they were on, documented meetings which you had and were signed by both parties about anything specific they were disciplined for.
4. Give the ref and your phone number if they wish to discuss further and tell them the truth on the phone.


The thing I would ask though is you always come across as a decent sort. Would it not be easier to just give a basic ref, forget about it and let the new employers deal with them. Live and let live and all that.....

Unless they really done something bad that is

Thanks Greedo. I have plenty of written evidence to demonstrate that the person's performance and attitude is below par. They have been constantly causing difficulties for everyone since they started, not least because they are very unpleasant to interact with (I also have written evidence of this). I would even go so far as to say the person has some kind of mental problem they are so difficult to deal with. I think I will probably choose the right response for the context - quite often the reference forms ask you to score someone's performance and attitude, so that's one way of indicating it, without actually resorting to words.