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June 11, 2008
people are assholes, part gazillion in a never ending series
A friend of mine just got a job offer rescinded because someone gave her a bad referral. When someone asks you if you'll be a referral and you can't be bothered to give a good one then fracking say "No". I've said no plenty of times. Yes it's awkward for a few minutes, but everyone is better off. I'm upset for my friend.
Posted by jennj at June 11, 2008 08:02 PM
Clue-ments:
Handy tip: You can also hide behind office policy. We generally disallow people to give references, positive or negative. Because if they find out you gave a bad one, they sue you and stuff.
Posted by: poz at June 12, 2008 01:53 AM
What was it Thumper said, If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all....
Posted by: Sue at June 12, 2008 06:30 AM
This is an interesting situation. At one of my previous employers we required a reference for your last direct manager. You would not get hired if you could not provide that. So, Poz, your policy would prevent a former employee from getting a job - even if you liked them.
References are tough. If you think the person is bad and get called, I think you have to say that or else you are screwing the new employer by having them hire a bad employee. I out the blame for this situation on the candidate. The candidate should have know that it would be a bad reference, but gave the name out anyway. Why would you do that?
I do not agree with the "never say anything bad". I am more in the "honesty is the best policy"
mess
Posted by: mess at June 14, 2008 11:20 AM