Asked to provide Reference

[MrsPerfect12]

I've been asked to provide a reference for someone who we hired for a few months. The position was terminated as she wasn't suitable at all. I have been asked to score from 1-5 with 1 being the lowest and a tick box "would I employ again" - hell no! If I'm being honest I would mark 1 or 2 with the exception of timekeeping where she would score 5 excellent.

We had issues with rudeness to me and to customers. Refusal to do tasks. Phoning in sick from the first week and a general feeling of unless it was what she wanted to do she wouldn't do it and generally moaned about everything. The job was made clear at the interview along with examples of day to day running.

I'm surprised she's asked us for a reference.

I can't say the above can I? How do I handle this? I've never been in this situation. No HR to refer to, just myself and my husband run the business. TIA

Most large organisations have a policy now that they would only confirm role title and length of service so do the same. Say it's your policy to do that....

Are you able to just confirm that she worked for you from specific dates. It’ll be a neutral act then.

Just decline to give one, it will send its own message

Just confirm job title and dates of employment, and say it’s against policy to provide any further info if they press.

That's perfect. You're all saying the same thing. I'll do exactly that. Thank you all.

Why don’t you score truthfully? Save some new employer being stuck with someone so useless. Frees the job up for someone decent then.