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Original poster

Boss giving bad reference

13 replies

OneBrightAmberDuck · 05/02/2025 20:32

My partner is a farm worker and has had a really bad experience at his most recent job. He’d only worked there for 4 months, felt really bullied and came home every night like a kicked puppy. His confidence is really shattered. He’s got so much experience in the industry but every day was criticised (even when has done the job correctly and as instructed), belittled, sworn at. He finally stood up to his boss (who owns the farm) and was told to leave.

Someone was brought in to replace him pretty much straight away, they’ve lasted two weeks and also now left.

He is actually the fourth in 18 months.

The issue he has now is needing a reference. He’s been for two jobs locally and both went great with starting dates subject to references. This boss is clearly being vindictive and giving a bad one and the jobs are being withdrawn. Even when his other reference is exemplary. He feels like he’s been blacklisted now in the area. We don’t want to move to new area as I enjoy my job.

OP posts:
SerenStarEtoile · 05/02/2025 20:39

Can you get a free 15 minute (I think) legal consultation with a local solicitor?
Or go to Citizens Advice?

References must be factual so if the one he has is just bad-mouthing him that’s not ok.

I hope you’re able to sort this out.

JoyousPinkPeer · 05/02/2025 20:40

He needs to send a subject access request to his former employer to provide any communications which include his name ( ) including any response to reference requests between x date and x date.

He also needs to discuss this issue with prospective employers and ask if he can do a trial period instead.

JoyousPinkPeer · 05/02/2025 20:41

JoyousPinkPeer · 05/02/2025 20:40

He needs to send a subject access request to his former employer to provide any communications which include his name ( ) including any response to reference requests between x date and x date.

He also needs to discuss this issue with prospective employers and ask if he can do a trial period instead.

He could also send a subject access request to the prospective employers

Orino · 05/02/2025 20:46

Can he not use the reference before this job if it’s only four months?

notatinydancer · 05/02/2025 21:01

If he'd only been there 4 months , I'd miss that job off any applications.

Original poster
OneBrightAmberDuck · 05/02/2025 21:12

notatinydancer · 05/02/2025 21:01

If he'd only been there 4 months , I'd miss that job off any applications.

I think we are going to have to do this and maybe say he moved to area for my job.

OP posts:
LostGhost · 05/02/2025 21:13

JoyousPinkPeer · 05/02/2025 20:40

He needs to send a subject access request to his former employer to provide any communications which include his name ( ) including any response to reference requests between x date and x date.

He also needs to discuss this issue with prospective employers and ask if he can do a trial period instead.

References are typically excluded from SAR requests.

Original poster
OneBrightAmberDuck · 05/02/2025 21:14

JoyousPinkPeer · 05/02/2025 20:40

He needs to send a subject access request to his former employer to provide any communications which include his name ( ) including any response to reference requests between x date and x date.

He also needs to discuss this issue with prospective employers and ask if he can do a trial period instead.

I think they were probably via phone call (farming can be quite informal and who you know). Even his employment hasn’t been official enough ie no written contract, disciplinary or improvement process). He just drives the staff into the ground mentally and physically and gets rid if anyone stands up to him.

OP posts:
CantHoldMeDown · 05/02/2025 21:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

AnSolas · 05/02/2025 21:43

He needs to get ahead of the ex-employer. And say that he is not going to get a good reference and offer the prior employer as the go to for character and work ethic.

If he is working rural and local someone will know where he worked and it will end reaching his new employer. And his prior employer will know about him moving to the ex-employer

And the locals will be aware of the high turnover

So his prior employer is key
personality clash was never a problem
Got on with everyone
Suprised to hear that the ex-employer did not like him we never had a problem.

felt really bullied and came home every night like a kicked puppy. His confidence is really shattered.
He managed to do a good interview feeling as he did about the job. But he still need to be careful that he did not leave the new employer feeling lied to once they contacted the ex-employer

JoyousPinkPeer · 06/02/2025 09:37

OneBrightAmberDuck · 05/02/2025 21:12

I think we are going to have to do this and maybe say he moved to area for my job.

Show quote history

If you do, don't then give them a P45! It will have last employer details on (I think?)

EmmaMaria · 06/02/2025 12:40

Don't compound a bad situation by telling lies. It will be found out and then he faces dismissal for lying. I agree with @AnSolas - be measured about it and don't go to town about how awful the last employer was, but tell the truth. A lot of people will already know, and he has nothing to lose by saying what happened. You have no ideas what the former employer is saying - he could be saying he was stealing or something really awful. So getting ahead of the game is more likely to get a positive outcome.

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