Help!

[Megaton]

I just got this really good job in Birmingham, a job I've wanted since I left uni.

However.......

My current job in Manchester absolutely stinks. I hate my job, its tedious and the people suck. My boss, whilst I'm affable with him, always sociable and curteous, and never nasty or anything, is a real harsh bastard, pulling me up on everything I do, giving me the 3rd degree whenever we speak. I am given no encouragement, everyone there is really snidey and pretentious, they are always going to the manager with their problems about me, making me look bad at every opportunity. I have been overworked at times, given no encouragement or praise, and I have admitted that my work was'nt up to scratch at times because of the pressure I have been under. I work in admin by the way.

Unfortunately when I applied for the job in Birmingham I put down my manager as one of my references - as this was before the shit hit the fan, so to speak.

When I was offered the job in Birmingham I was over the moon....now I feel really low and depressed, because this guy will not give me a good reference. He dragged me into his office on Friday afternoon, went through the form he had been sent with me, and stated that certain sections he was going to leave - especially the sections about "standard of work" and "would you employ this person again" - choosing instead to write that he has'nt known me long enough.

I am really worried that despite not writing anything negative, he is going o make me look bad anyway. My other reference will give a positive account, becaase I really got on well with everyone at that workplace. Yet I feel as if this guy (he's new, he's trying to impress I suppose) has my balls in a vice, and ultimately has control over me getting the job and the fresh start I've wanted for so long.

 

[Spark]

New employers will ask for more information, but won't necessarily expect it. Lots of employers refuse to give detailed refernces - even to people they've loved and thought were fantastic. It can often be standard, and some companies' pracitce, to only to give a very brief factual reference which states the dates you worked somewhere, what your role was, what your salary was and maybe number of sick days.

Can you ask your boss to just give this type of reference and say it's the company policy. If he doesn't like the standard of your work, and is constantly criticising, then it's not really in his interest to stop you going to a new job.

 

[lenny101]

If you have already been offered the job refernces should make no difference, unless you have been offered the job subject to satisfactory references.

I wouldn't worry too much as I don't think too much attention is paid to references, especially if at least one of them is good.

He sounds like a right bastard by the way.

 

[Megaton]

If you have already been offered the job refernces should make no difference, unless you have been offered the job subject to satisfactory references.

Unfortunately that is the case. Although the other chaps will be able to offer a good one, it still makes me slightly nervous. What is "satisfactory"? Does a neutral reference count as satisfactory, or does it have to be completely positive? I feel like asking the people who are provisionally offering the job, but I don't want it to harm my chances.

What worries me is that despite the job I have been offered being different (a job gained from qualifications) than my current joke job (a crappy dead-end clerical post) I will still suffer from the comments of this prat, especially if they ask him to elaborate on why he has'nt commented on certain sections.

 

[Spark]

usually a neutral reference will suffice - particularly if you have another good one - mainly as lots of employers will only give very basic references as a matter of course.

In the main, what they want to know is that you have been doing the job you said you did in your application, so you haven't lied or made it up. Also that you haven't done anything awful in your job - ie, stolen lots of money from your employer.

 

[Megaton]

usually a neutral reference will suffice - particularly if you have another good one - mainly as lots of employers will only give very basic references as a matter of course.

In the main, what they want to know is that you have been doing the job you said you did in your application, so you haven't lied or made it up. Also that you haven't done anything awful in your job - ie, stolen lots of money from your employer.

Well, thats a relief. I suppose if they have offered the job in the first place (provisionally mind you) then they must want me in. Nothing I've done in this job has consitituted gross misconduct - I have'nt insulted anyone, have'nt taken the piss out of anyone, have'nt stolen cash (not that there is any).

I just think everyone here has been very harsh, and its affected my self-esteem. They loved my predessessor, who was a real admin monkey. Its a problem I've had in my last 2 jobs, so thank god I'm moving onto something new.

The manager is going to let me read what he has written - I don't think it will be ghastly, I just think he is being difficult.

 

[f for fake]

I hope you get a good reference from you boss in manchester and move to your better job.
BUT brum????? sorry i live here and some times it gets to me. But i live near the countryside so i cant get away when i want.

 

[scifisam]

Take heart from the thought that the new company probably won't want to have to go through the hassle of the recruitment process all over again, now that they've found someone they want.

 

[lights.out.london]

The thing about references is that they have to be fair and accurate. I've been through this a thousand times with candidates in the City job market where the wrong nod or wink can ruin a career.

It's an urban myth that an ex or soon-to-be ex employer cannot give you a bad reference. If, for example, you stole the petty cash, your former employer is entitled to say so. But if and only if it is true.

An employer offering any kind of opinion in a reference is treading on thin ice. Be it a good opinion of you or otherwise.

The days of safely signing references "Without prejudice and liability" are just about over.

Good luck with the job hunt. I know a good employment lawyer if you get fucked over.