What to Do About a Bad Reference

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You are forced to leave by harassment

The tips here are good as long as you are still dealing with sensible people. I think you never worked for a company where many people are strange and like to back stab one another. I regret so much for joining that company. I was under so much harassment from one co-worker who is completely incompetent for the job, her knowledge level is lower than a sophomore. But, she is getting a job with a requirement of higher degree education and a few years of experience. That is the same job I had. The manager laid me off despite the fact I told her about the harassment. This manager is more than happy to let me go. Since I joined I was the only young woman in the entire office. It was so freaky. The manager alone did tons of nasty things to make my life bad in the office. Now, I understand why there is no young woman in the office. They must have all been driven out my this old woman boss. I was not under her management at first, but she forced me into joining her team by suddenly moving me into her team for no reason and didn't give me the choice to say yes or no. The HR is even more scary. She is a dwarf and she hates young woman. Even when you use the restroom soap that has some fragrance on it. She would question you, "Are you wearing perfume?"

I cannot use them as a reference. But, many people in the company know that I was under her soon after I joined the company. They love to give out reference themselves which ruined all my potential offers. They are very stubborn, there is no way I can tell them to stop giving out references themselves.

I wish govt can set up a rule to stop companies from doing reference check. I don't want these people haunting my life anymore. Every time, I passed tests, interviews, background check, employment verification, education verifications, my previous company's reference, and got a potential offer. But, I lost the offer as soon as this company references are called. I am going to lose a home because of them. I definitely do not have money to sue them. PLEASE HELP ME.

Janet of AZ @ Nov 04, 2009 06:51:18 AM

no more references this is an american joke

what a joke--references for grown adults?!?! the interview and talent is all that matters--why on earth would they call someone you left--the company stunk, and you left for greener pastures. just interview them, interview them again and again, and look at results--and give 'em a 90 day trial--that should suffice. enough of this juvenile reference nonsense!

jonhson of CA @ Oct 02, 2009 22:58:35 PM

Gather Your Evidence

If you feel that your former employer has been giving out bad references about you, you want to gather this information in a court-admissable format. You can have a friends of yours make calls to your former employer while pretending to be prospective new employers and collectively gather this information. However, make sure that they sound legitimately like a company calling (caller ID with the matching company names, etc.) and that they sound professional. Otherwise, go with a professional reference check company (http://www.getverifiedfast.com/AreYouBeingBadMouthed.html about $25, multiple calls, multiple companies, evidence provided to you)

Jessica of CA @ Sep 20, 2009 15:48:05 PM

A bridge too many

I must admit I may have burned one too many bridges.

I was fired by my manager over a year ago and have been unemployed since.

After a refernce check, I found out this manager really said some very unfavorable things of a personal nature about me and that his evaluation was based on no objective criteria.

We had been through three managers in the ten months. I got along great with the first two but, did not hit it off with the last. The political atmosphere was bad. I let my interpersonal professionalism slip but, always did the job to the best of my ability.

Obviously, I have learned that I should have done things differently. I have good experience in this business and a few years in it. Again, it was a learning experience and I need to get an opportunity to prove I have learned from it and can use it positively in a future opportunity.

The longer I have been out, the more red flags it puts up.

I worked in high liability asset protection and the business I am in is licensed by a state board.In this business, integrity is everything.

I am a breath away from losing my home and marriage due to the financial strain.

I am in the toughest spot of my life.

tjr of MI @ Jul 31, 2009 16:20:04 PM

Bad reference

I got a very bad reference from a supervisor recently, she gave me no indication that the reference that she would give would be in any way negative. After failing a reference check I phoned her and asked her if there was anything negative that she would say about me and she was reassuring. Yesterday I got a copy of her written reference about me and I now know why I am unemployed. She lied in that written reference and contradicted herself in that reference. I dealt with it by notifying her HR department and her Director General and threatening legal action over her dishonesty and the carnage that it has created in my life. Meanwhile I have had to wipe that job off my CV, I've gone interstate and said that I was overseas at that time, holidaying like one of the privileged few. I phoned previous employers and I now have a set of good referee's which is handy because I've just been offered an amazing contract pending satisfactory references. I suggest that people who have been defamed by previous employers be creative and remember that the greatest revenge of all is to live your life better than you did when you knew them. Suing them is a long drawn out process and damaging psychologically, financially and professionally and then you are not guaranteed to win, even with the whole nasty business in writing. Get mad. Get even. Scrape yourselves off the ground and get going. Lastly, either stay forever in one job or keep mobile and keep in touch with previous employers that could save your career one day. Thank them with flowers.

Shona @ May 15, 2009 05:40:02 AM

how to beat references

If you need references just contact a reference provider or a friend. I will give references to anyone.

outsmart recruiters of CA @ Jan 29, 2009 06:35:18 AM

Past Coworker

My past coworker who had been very willing to be a reference - I personally thought he would be a great reference for all the work I've completed as he had witnessed a fair bit of it; yet he took the opportunity to bad mouth our current company stating it IS a bad and negative environment. He came across as a very disgruntled worker.

I'm now concerned his reference has completely ruined my chances (although I think I had very strong interviews) plus negotiating power whatsoever. I knew he was disgruntled but didn't think he would take that opportunity to rant. What do I do now?

PH @ Jan 16, 2009 10:43:29 AM

i got a good referance when i left my job but when i got another job the same company gave a bad referance. what can i do as my job was termanated ?

susan of @ Dec 04, 2008 10:01:42 AM

BAD REFERENCE

MY HUSBAND RECEIVED NOT ONLY A BAD REFERENCE BUT TOLD A PROSPECTIVE NEW EMPLOYER "DON'T HIRE HIM".

CAN ANYONE ADVISE ME ON THIS PLEASE?

JUAN of NC @ Nov 19, 2008 06:42:53 AM

I used to work for a director at a detention unit in southern mass. She always gives out bad reference about former employees. There is a lot of issues how she run the program. I know one day she had an employee write a false document when *** came in to check on the program. She writes up staff for not reason and expects the person to sighn it. I cannot say any more because a group of people and myself may speak up. We just want to make sure our current job will not lable us. I am doing a lot of research for us, so we have strong case.

justice of MA @ Oct 01, 2008 14:15:27 PM

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