What to Do About a Bad Reference

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I was recently released from a company that owes me quite a bit of commission. Because I would not sign a blanket waiver for a few thousand dollars of severance the CEO has instructed the entire company that they are not allowed to speak with anyone about me including those wishing to hire me even though several peers would happily be willing to go to bat for me. My question is, is this legal that they can infer the threat of their own jobs by speaking on my behalf?

Rick of IL 10:47PM December 06, 2011

Hi Alison,
Thank you very much for your valuable advise.
Could you please suggest me how to reduce poor reference check statistics in the organisation.
Warm regards,
Rohit Sharma
NB. I am based out of India. I could not find India as an option in state, hence I chose IN in the state drop box.

Rohit Sharma of IN 4:00AM December 05, 2011

I put the HR manager as the person to contact for my former company. I don't put my former supervisor, as I know he will not give me a good reference. I know that in this tough job market references are important, reading above to forewarn the prespective employers, where would that go on your resume? Not all openings offer applications they look at resumes.

Melanie of TX 3:21PM December 04, 2011

I recently resigned from my teachers assistant job at a local elementary school, but i have been looking for work, and putting in applications. My former boss says that i violated my contract, because i missed a half a day of training. He did say to me that he and i needed to get to the bottom of the problem, but i could have a district rep there , so i terminated my position with his school.
Could this be the reason that no one is calling me back accept for an interview, but then i never hear from them to come to work?

manya wilson of AK 9:40PM September 22, 2011

Yes, I can sue any one who did put and give any negative references just because they can not longer afford me as employee. This addiction of hiring someone who is the target of best companies is not just for companies. I did notice negative iand maginative data put may be by the local court just to hurt my career plan. I have been negotiating with companies,... for references but decided to send the negotiation for US court judge certification. The real fear is the local court with history of 'do what I am telling or else'. I have not issue any cease and desist notice because I am waiting for the US court to make this agreement (peaceful) legal for employment related records.
It costs me a lot in term of quality ( and time) of my life but I have no way out and no real powerful crowd
Arthur Mboue

Arthur Mboue of DC 12:05PM September 16, 2011

Where do I report a former employer if he is the owner and HR dept? I recently found out that he gave me a bad reference then called me to work 2 weeks after. When I confronted him, of course he denied any wrong doing. I do believe that he did do it and do want him to be aware that he can not hold others back for his own benefit.
Please respond as soon as possible.

Linda of MI 9:05AM September 06, 2011

its hard enough as it is to get a job now without having bad references. Unfortunately, perhaps its a character flaw, I've stormed out on every job I've had because I put up with the BS each job has given me to the very last point I can take until I can't take even two weeks more to put in a proper resignation. I stick it out to the very end and I can only take so much! I understand as an employer this wouldnt be good, but they have to consider an ex employee's performance DURING their employment. The hours of dedicated service and repeated instances of going above and beyond whats expected for the good of the company. i stayed for a double shift one day to help a brand new hire that would have otherwise had to handle all the work themselves with NO TRAINING because someone was stupid enough not to schedule someone to work with her. I didn't have to do it but I did. should that type of sacrifice be meaningless after you walk out on a job thats run you ragged to the point you cant even stay for two more weeks???????????????????????

ashley of SC 4:45PM August 27, 2011

I was working for 2 Oral Surgeons for a little over 4 years. One of the surgeons had no problems with me , no issues, we got along beautifully. The other one however, was cruel, degraded me, tried every way possible to make me quit my job. I truly enjoyed the work I was doing which was assisting in surgery. The one who didn't like me really gave me hard times during surgery; could never do anything right. He is the one who interviewed me and hired me!! I've got over 20 years experience in the dental field, so I knew my job duties and did them well. I did everything possible to get along with this one doctor, but he was impossible. In fact, at one point, he stripped me of all my duties assisting, he had me scrubbing instruments all day! He had eventually turned the entire staff against me and the other surgeon was fighting to keep me there. Well, the last year of employment, the tyrant started having problems with drugs and I am no fool when it comes to drug abuse. The other assistants were quite young, high schoolish, and very naive. Because I caught on to his habit, and I guess new too much, he fired me. I am the type of employee who stays late to finish up everything, I give a full 8 hours of work with no slacking off, and go above and beyond my call of duties like working on weekends if the doctor had an emergency call in, I offered my assistance to go and help. I consider myself to be a work-aholic. I have been out of work since January 2011 and still cannot find a job! Two interviews I went on, I knew the doctors well and they knew my former employers well also. I was informed that the tyrant was spreading really ugly things about me, just speaking very badly about me. The only reason these doctors told me was because they know how this tyrant is and he is not well liked by most of the surgeons in the area and they also know that what is being said is not true. But, what about the ones whom I don't know and who don't know him?? One of the assistants I worked with told me that he was going to make certain that I could not get a job around the area and it looks like he is succeeding!! I had to put up with his sexual comments, harassing me to have drinks with him after work and vulgar text messages. When he realized I wasn't going to play his sick games, that is when he totally changed his behavior with me. How unfair is this??!!! I saw an attorney for advice about the sexual harassment, but said that it would be very difficult, drawn-out case and I would have to have really hard-core evidence so, suggested that I just move on and leave him alone!! Well, I have no income at all, about to be evicted from my house, about to have my vehicle repossessed and have had to fill out job apps at Burger King!! With all my years in this field, I am applying at B.K.?? What is wrong with this picture?? So, tell me if his bad reference or speaking ugly about me is not hurting my chances for getting a job?? About to lose it!!!

Monessa(Meko) Douet of LA 1:24PM August 10, 2011

I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease aprox 6 years ago. I am 50 years old. As my Parkinsons progressed I started to feel that I was being targeted from management, especially within the past 6 months of employment. My performance was spotless and numerouse accomodations for excelent sales and and awards for customer service . After 20 years of service with this company? When management starts to target you, they will find the smallest reasons to create a paper trail on you so they can have reason to terminate you. I started to feel like they were looking at me as a accedent waiting to happen. due to my tremors with parkinsons. Now they have denied my benefits and not eligible for rehire. And after several interviews, which went very well, until they call my previous employer, then the job process stops there. I filed disability. I am forced to take legal action for discrimination and wrongfull termination. This kind of Persecution has to stop ! !

damon of TX 11:18AM August 05, 2011

what about :
4. Checking that an old boss is indeed giving inaccurate information because he/she is now in a position of being a direct competitor of yours and is simply an unscrupulous coward who will do anything to squash competition. In that case, I would certainly opt for a lawsuit. IN FACT, why not suggest that if someone is giving inaccurate information about you... period. Isn't that considered calumny? A crime? I'm surprised you didn't mention that as an option. I understand going straight to HR but why not just go straight to the lawsuit!? I mean, if the harm has already been done once, isn't that enough?

Dave 2:11AM August 03, 2011