Im always worried that the person I put as reference is going to lie or interfere with my application just because they didn’t like me, or they don’t want me to leave, or something.
My question is, can they do this or are there any type of procedures they have to follow before adding whatever they want in that form?
4 comments
Having done it and asked people to do it for me, what I can tell you is that it should always be someone you get on well with and appreciates your work.
It doesn’t have to be your line manager but can be your +2, +3, a colleague or even a subordinate if you’re in a managerial position.
It can lead up to a phone call but it’s fairly quick (5mn tops). I mean it can always go down on the wrong path but you’re supposed to put someone you trust and work well with so it shouldn’t happen.
No one is allowed to give a bad reference, iirc. The worst they can do is simply put the dates you worked there.
In the UK they cannot give you a bad reference, for example saying “you are always late.”
As for procedures my partner ( ex manager)answer is “not really ”
They CAN refuse to give a reference though.
However I can’t comment if you are going for high security or medical, for example, as that a whole new area.
This is from my partner who was management 3 years ago.
Hope this helps.
The idea that people can’t give a bad reference is a myth. They can’t give a false reference as otherwise they could be sued for libel. People may prefer not to say anything negative to avoid a possible defamation claim though.
Edit – rules from ACAS
https://www.acas.org.uk/providing-a-job-reference/what-employers-can-say-in-a-reference