What to Do About a Bad Reference

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i need help tured places in becaue they will not gave me a chance. i have had interview but no job they said they would call me back matter if i get job or not but i don't get no answer at i would need something done about this.

karen of OH 8:36AM April 06, 2012

Sal G. That's the exact boat I am in right now. I worked in a school district where my superiors were doings things that they shouldn't be doing. I decided I wasn't going along with it. And next thing you know I am laid off. I have been looking for a job for a year and a half & haven't got one interview. I call and ask why I was refused even an interview and told different things. I am quite sure my previous employer that I worked for 9 years is sabotaging me for the sheer joy of being able to do so. But I have not been able to conform it. So I am still searching for a job. :(

Brian T. of Sac. of CA 7:30PM April 03, 2012

These suggestions would not be effective for a previous Civil Service employee (or some others). The hiarchy is not constructed in such a way that human resources is above the department head. They could not make a call and "put a stop to it". The vindictivness of some departments heads runs deep. They feel whatever you have done to make them unhappy will be carried out by" reaching out from the grave" to ruin further employment for you.

Calling you old employer is not "worth a shot". Many bosses get a perverse joy out of your call and it will only fuel their desire to further make you miserable. As an aside, even if it was illegal to give bad references it would be near impossible to enforce unless phones are bugged and that wouldn't be worth the court costs.

In NY attorneys don't take employment cases pro bono, so be prepared to have buckets full of cash if you what to help yourself (while your out of work). As to telling a possibly new employer that your relationship with your last boss "soured"-very tricky. More often you will be perceived as a potential problem employee and they have many other people they can hire instead of you.

Your in really bad shape if a past employer 'has it in for you". The reality is, your all alone and on your own.

Sal G. of NY 5:29PM March 01, 2012

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

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