Quick question!

[crackedphone]

If a previous employer didn't give you a reference for a new job would you ever return to work with them?

No

Depends why. I believe a lot of places don't do references now anyway.

Yes. My xworkplace doesn't do them. I need to ask individual managers if they would mind giving verbal ones when I need them.

If they had a policy of not giving them then fair enough.

And it's not unknown to refuse to help a good employee leave for a competitor. Could be a sign they liked you.

But no, I would only go back to a company if my experiences with them were overwhelmingly good, and a kerfuffle over a reference could well leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Did you ever ask for a reference from them in the first place?

yes. I did. In my field of work its expected.

Probably not.