A fortnight ago I was interviewed for and then offered a new job. I accepted and then handed my notice in with my current employers the following day, I'm now in my notice period with two weeks left. I had to give the names and addresses of three referees, one of whom HAD to be my current employers. Fair enough!
On Thursday late afternoon the person who I will be reporting to in my new job phoned me to tell me that whilst my two other references had responded they still haven't received a reference from my line manager, this is despite them contacting her twice. She then asked me if I could chase it up but when I tried to contact my line manager on Friday she was apparently out of the office for the day!
I cant say I am especially surprised as my line manager is the most incompetent person I have ever met in my entire life, and is the main reason I am leaving. I should have known this would happen, but I am so fucking angry! I was really looking forward to starting my new job, a fresh start and new challenge but obviously I won't be able to start without this reference from her!
She has been in the office as I've seen and spoken to her, so there is no excuse for this. It's just laziness and a lack of consideration for anyone other than herself. In three years I've never had a day off sick and have gone way beyond the call of duty but the unless bint can't even do the decent thing and provide me with a reference.
I'm going to chase it up on Monday but I don't know how to deal with it? I'm worried that I will blow my top and all of the resentment I have will come tumbling out.
Surely withholding a reference is against employment law?