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Work references for a SAHM

2 replies

Lookingbackatme · 18/11/2020 10:46

Who would I list for references when I have been a SAHM for nearly 6 years and have not had any contact with my last work place? I have heard through a former colleague there that most of the team have long gone.

My team leader is still there but she was a bit of a nasty person so I wouldn’t trust her to give a fair and decent reference (to anyone, not just me). Classic example was everyone overhearing her on the phone give a reference for a colleague who had just left and she said “if you want someone who will use their brain then she’s not the employee for you.” She’s always shown herself to be the type to not be professional.

My former employer only gives an HR statement saying you were employed in X job on X dates, but I gather most new employers will want a verbal or written reference and not just a statement saying you were employed for X years in X job? I was employed there for 12 years.

I have friends/former colleagues who I worked with years ago who are happy to give character references, and could vouch for me but I realise this isn’t ideal. I have not done any volunteering (was due to start in Feb but it was cancelled due to Covid) and have found volunteer roles have dried up since March so I’m still a bit stuck for references. Just joined the school PTA but again, so history sufficient for a work reference.

OP posts:
daisypond · 18/11/2020 10:52

I think you have it the wrong way round. It’s normal for a reference to just give very basic references now - dates that you worked at a company. Any sort of descriptive references are forbidden at my workplace. References are issued by HR, and managers and team leaders are not allowed to give them.

Lookingbackatme · 18/11/2020 11:56

@daisypond I’m glad you’d said that as that was what I had always understood was the case now, and a friend has insisted it is too.

I’ve just been researching how to update my CV etc and I’m seeing so much about how to make sure you have 2-3 references lined up in advance.

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