Current Events > In the UK, it's illegal for a former employer to give you a negative reference.

(+) Yeah! (+)

How great is that? Is it the same way in the US?

---

Sunhawk posted...

How great is that? Is it the same way in the US?

Not great and nope, thankfully.

---

This has saved me from joblessness on at least two occasions.

---

I dont know of anybody that check references anyways

technically it's illegal in canada if the reference is slander or libel (if written). It can also be considered restriction of trade if certain conditions are met.

if it's a true reference, i.e. if your attendance was poor and they stated a fact (i.e. he missed 1 day a week), that's legal. If they say "Oh, he never showed up!". that can be considered illegal.

But it'd be a civil suit, meaning the person would need to sue to the former employer -- AND prove it.

---

This is a myth and not true.

The ACTUAL truth is that giving a bad reference which is demonstrably false is considered libel in British Law

As such no business is likely to risk doing it. Unless it's something 100% demonstrable like you lied about your age or tried to kill a co-worker or something. They won't risk a lawsuit over "Billy was a poo poo head."

This is why it's incredibly common for references in the UK to be as bland and generic as possible.

I've literally recieved references that were

X Name
X Position
X Company

Start date: X
Leaving date: X
Reason for leaving: Quit/Termination/Contract Expired.

Bop. No information at all.

---

My brother was a hiring manager at a steakhouse and never called anybody. He just looked at your availability and experience.

---

UnfairRepresent posted...

I've literally recieved references that were

X Name
X Position
X Company

Start date: X
Leaving date: X
Reason for leaving: Quit/Termination/Contract Expired.

Bop. No information at all.

This is the standard for most American businesses, too. Sometimes they'll answer the question, "Would you rehire X?" Most big companies don't bother giving out personal references because it's too much of a hassle either way.

---

I almost wonder if there's something similar in NZ too. I've quit a few jobs on bad terms and still got good references from them. The closest thing to a negative reference I've gotten - and this is from someone who had previously given positive ones - was "I don't feel I can give a reference anymore due to how long ago [name] worked for us".

---

It's illegal in Germany too
---

Hays to be 'That' guy, but it isn't true.

It's a widely held myth that bad references are illegal.
All a reference has to be is honest, that's it.
They can't make things up, but if you were a lousy time keeper, they can put that on a reference. If you had a disciplinary for a bad attitude, they can mention those too.


---