Poor reference

[bouncingbelle]

I,ve just had my second job offer withdrawn due to an unsatisfactory reference from my previous employer.

What can I do about this? I left the job after 5 years due to bullying by my line manager, the things mentioned in the reference from my last employer were simply not true.

Where do I go from here?

I feel sick about this , literally in a panic, it's like the bullying is still happening and 5 years of hard work have been for nothing,

Have you seen the reference?

It's not illegal to give a bad reference (contrary to popular belief) but it is illegal to give a false reference. Could you prove that the reference was untrue?

I,ve requested a copy of it, but I,ve heard bits of it and it's just not true and I have examples to prove it, :(

If there are actual prove able lies in it then you need legal advice as you would have a case for legal action

Could you give an example of something untrue?

If it's something you can prove, you can take legal action and potentially sue for losses. If it's something discretionary, though - opinion based - it can be much more difficult.

Agree, if it is factually incorrect you need to take legal action