What to Do About a Bad Reference

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I used a previous employer on my resume, and now am interning somewhere that is a state agency, and a person there knows the previous employer, and knows I applied for this new job I applied for. I believe I received a bad reference, and the person at this internship has loudly stated how great these guys are at the bad reference employer. He recommends them to customers that come into our office all the time, and has never asked about my employment there. I'm getting double whacked here, at my wits end, and feel that I will never find a job in the field I love. I believe it's considered collusion if a state employee recommends only one business, but he'll say you can go here or there, but they don't know what their talking about, so I would go to the place aforementioned. Funny thing is, I've also worked at those other places, and we were trained constantly on the products, and recommendations for problems. I knew what I was talking about, and if I didn't I would tell them I would find out for them if I didn't. I have a strong background in this field with many years of experience, I hate to see this happening. What can I do?

Annabel of SC 6:52PM March 12, 2013

I think there is a need for advise to both potential employers and employees on how to get a reliable reference when issues such as sexual harassment, unethical practices or simply personalities in the former workplace may make it difficult or undesirable for the employee to contact the former employer. This is especially problematic for employees moving from one small to mid-sized company lacking a formal HR department/policy to another. A "good reference checker" may put the candidate into an impossible bind by requesting to be put in contact with the former employer on the spot and/or misinterpret reluctance to provide a contact as an attempt to hide past poor performance.

Lezlieann of NY 12:44PM November 25, 2012

I have good references from all past employers, but in this market, now am concerned a temp agency is out to get me. I have worked with these people intermittently for over an eight year span. They previously placed me in four positions for which I have great written references from the employer who hired me after temp period. Recently, they tried to force me to take a position I was no longer interested in for several good reasons. I learned that though it was billed as "temp to hire" there were people there who had been temping over 10 months - most everyone over 6 months - and their requests from management for input on going permanent were completely ignored - EVEN WORKING IN THE SAME ROOM! I took the position after the temp agency threatened to have my DOL UI benefits cut off for refusing work - which later I found out was impossible because the position paid so much less (which wasn't a deterrent to me). So, one day I ran into an attorney I had worked for in the past who had a project that would pay me cash more than I could make at this job in a week. I emailed into everyone that I had this opportunity that would be likely 1/2 a day and needed to take it since I had a broken tooth I was trying to have crowned before it turned into a root canal and had to pay up front - naturally. Well, the agency terminated me and tried to stop me from receiving DOL UE benifits. I'm all about giving your all, but not when someone can't even offer me ANY of the following: 1) SOME COMMITMENT IN FUTURE WHEN JOB WILL GO PERMANENT 2) SOME TYPE OF MEDICAL BENEFIT THAT IS NOT JUST ANOTHER INSULT/RIP OFF 3) NO PERMANENCY - NO BENEFITS, BUT AFTER A PERIOD OF BEING PLACED, DROP THE 1/2 OF MY SALARY THAT IS GOING TO THE AGENCY AND GIVE IT TO ME SO I CAN PURCHASE AT LEAST A CATASTROPHIC HEALTH PLAN - OR HAVE A TOOTH CROWNED AFTER SAVING 6 MONTHS.

cindy of GA 5:16PM July 24, 2012

What really sucks is when they are in the same industry, and your old boss and potential new boss are good friends and they go wayyyyy.. back. I was very good at my job but I tangled with the wrong person who in turn made my boss look bad to his boss.

rrrr of CO 4:53PM June 29, 2012

My girl friend was let go go giving discounts over a year a go to some one so they fired her she got a new job then they called her in a said we have to let u go because they called her old job an told them that is tha illegal

chris of TX 2:05AM June 12, 2012

I got hit something this bad a week ago. The prospective employer, after making an offer, at least shared with me why they retracted the offer that it was due to my personal and professional references. To remedy this, with honestly no hope that this would make a difference, I offered more references and if an employer said I was not with them I would provide proof that I had been there. I wasn't holding my breath when they politely turned me away.
I am stunned. Every job I had left were for good reasons, good cause and on good terms. The three references I provided were solid, aware my work and would speak to the checkers regarding my work ethics, candor and knowledge.
I agree with many of you that as a job seeker we are powerless when even though we speak for ourselves and assuming we are upfront with our shortcomings (which I was) they would take some of our word at face value.
Then only to watch it fizzle because someone they speak to only once in a previous organization shoots you down. Has anyone who does the reference check ever consider that they are questioning dishonest people?
It is all too subjective and too stupid.

dkf of VA 1:10PM June 05, 2012

yes I had a bully and mob situation which resulted in some negative stuff in my file, these people are Toxic. I'm just going to give another supervisor and get them checked out beforehand. and I will address it in future interviews we have all had bad supervision on occasion, but this one needs some education and a shrink. (not in that order)

Sandra Sheridan of FL 6:30PM April 27, 2012

Alison,
Most aspects of a professional reference are a matter of opinion where factual accuracy can't be easily disputed if a former supervisor is providing a bad reference. For example, an unreasonable supervisor might ask an employee to achieve a goal that typically beyond what is normally expected for a given position or just not possible given the resources provided. He might be doing this for his own selfish career goals or to retain a good employee. If the goal is not accomplished, this might lead to bad reference. A mean spirited supervisor can easily parse their words where they only provide opinions, denying an employee of a future opportunity. Thus, the victimized employee can not easily dispute the reference. An alternative option, not mentioned, might be to ask for a surrogate reference from one of your supervisor's bosses, especially if you know this person dislikes your supervisor, your supervisor is being forced out, or he is aware of the problems associated with your supervisor's behavior. If he is at another company, hire a reference checking company to document what he is saying and then hit the legal counsel of your former supervisor's new company with a cease and desist to shut him up.

Nathan of TX 12:29AM April 15, 2012

In my last job, I was a victim of work place politics where my immediate supervisor was a sadist and got off on pitting his employees against each other. I was dealing with harassment from a co-worker to such a point where she made it impossible for me to do my job, my supervisor encouraged her behavior towards me. When I finally was forced to escalate my complaint to HR, I got fired the very next day. My supervisor and the co-worker are still there. The department has the worst turn over rate in the company and HR turns a blind eye towards it.

Kris M of CO 2:42PM April 14, 2012

I am frustrated no end with this and I was hoping that I would find encouragement in this article. There is none. My former supervisor is just the type of person who would get off on ruining a former employee's life. He had the worst turn around of anyone in the department. The HR Director is available only half the time and she would refer a reference call to a department manager before taking one herself. What does this mean? If you have a bad reference, you starve to death?!

Kris M of CO 2:37PM April 14, 2012