Do employers have to give references? What can you do if they refuse? Our expert offers some advice...
The issue
I worked for a well-known bar chain for more than four years in the central production unit. Now that I've left this job, I'm finding it impossible to get a reference from my former employer.
I gave four weeks' notice before I left the job, but after working for two of them my car blew up, so I had to get a lift and two trains for the third week. However, in the final week I couldn't get to work and explained this to my manager. Now he's unwilling to provide a reference, even though I had been with the company for a long time.
Do you have any suggestions about how to get around this?
Expert answer
Nick Gourley, UK sales director at Blue Arrow, replies:
Unfortunately, employers are not legally bound to give a reference unless your contract of employment states otherwise. If you can persuade them to give a written reference, though, it must be true and accurate.
Take action
- Keep giving your former employer details about any jobs for which you need references. They might respond to a direct request from another company, even if they don't want to give you an open reference.
- Try getting personal references from any other people you worked with during this period of employment.
- If you're applying through recruitment agencies, they can support your application by explaining what happened on your behalf. They can also help you to handle this type of question, as well as providing other useful interview techniques. Most employers will ask you why you left your previous company: honesty is a good policy to follow.
- You might want to visit a local Citizens Advice Bureau for further legal advice. You could also look at www.acas.org.uk for more information on employee rights.