Unsatisfactory reference and so job offer withdrawn.

[Bearnecessity]

Hi , I am so sad and angry. I secured a job offer on 20/10 and today I have found out because they received an unsatisfactory reference from my last employer the offer has been withdrawn. At my last job my line manager was sacked and is now being investigated for incompetence but this was nothing to do with me . I did my job very well but there were a lot of problems at the company and new people kept being brought in to turn things around I had an arguement with one after a very stressful year and she took a dislike to me. Technically my contract was not renewed but I keep getting offered jobs only to lose at reference stage despite having two other good references. I have now lost out on a permanent well-paid job....what can I do beyond go to HR, Citizen's Advice...it is so unfair.

Don’t disturb me has not accused you of lying. She is saying that if the reference said you took six weeks off because you lost a tooth this would factually be correct.

Sorry to clarify do you understand what’s being said

If your reference said

Bear was found to be argumentative and difficult, she took six weeks off sick due to loosing a tooth, we would not recommend her for a similar position

There is nothing factually incorrect here. Is it a bad reference that would loose you the job. Yes. Have the previous employer broken the law in writing it. No. They have been factually correct, and filing the request for reference. In this they do not need to cease or desist and there is no case for legal action

As such, you need to find out if what they said was factual or not.

Once an ex manager refused to give me a reference so a job was hanging in the balance. I phoned the new jobs HR and told them I had a terrible time there etc and they accepted a reference from the employer before. They did contact the HR of the people who refused to give me a reference to check dates I worked there but that's all. I've been in the new job for 2 years and love it

Ok apologies to don't disturb and thank you Bluntness for explaining...obviously I have no problem with the factually correct I didn't realise I needed to say that and as I have explained throughout the thread I am seeking to establish exactly what has been said.

@Stripey I am glad it worked out for you, my new employer didn't really give me the chance to explain or give my side but I have gone back to them today. They had sought two other references and both were good.

When you say technically your job was not renewed?

I would consider if the employer would agree with this or phrased it differently?

If you keep losing out? did you not enquire what the issue was with your previous employer and try to resolve it?

Hi Cabbageking ...I was let go having been told it was for budgetary reasons at the time so I did not know what issue there could have been. It is only now having experienced bad referencing that there obviously was a problem which is why I contacted them yesterday morning to find out what the problem was. They did not give me the chance to know what problem there was or allow me to resolve it.

@Cabbage...I meant to say...when I was still employed...I wait to find out the response to my email/letter.

A reference has to be factually correct.

If you were never made aware of any issues with your performance or/and any disciplinary action against you and they stated that the reason for not renewing your contract was budgets concerns then I see no reason why your reference would be poor...

I would get straight to HR (email them so you have something in writing), explain the situation and state that you believe that the reference that was given was not factually correct and that you will be taking legal action unless they go back to your new potential employer and explain that a mistake was made.

Companies can't just make up bad references based on fiction...

Thank you @Requinblanc...you do start to think you are going mad.

Hi, what was the outcome of this ? thanks

Hi what was the outcome of this ?

Hi what was the outcome of this 😮, did you get sight of your reference ? did the Union help ?