Do job references have to be from previous employers?
Current or previous employers can speak best about your work ethic. Leaving your former boss off your reference list — even if your former boss wasn’t so great! — can give the impression there’s a reason you didn’t want your future employer to contact them.
Can an employer legally give you a bad reference?
The law has little reason to discourage employers from providing their honest assessments of an employee’s performance, regardless of whether this assessment is good or bad. However, crossing the line into making misrepresentations or outright lies could make a bad reference illegal.
What can your old employer say when called for a reference?
As long as it’s truthful, your previous employer can legally disclose anything about you to a prospective employer, including your salary, vacation days you’ve taken, your job duties and times that you’ve received disciplinary counseling for absenteeism and tardiness.
Who should not be a reference?
Hiring managers generally assume your parents can’t give an objective view of your work history or how you’ll behave as an employee, so don’t put them down as references. That goes for all family members, as they will most likely think you’re pretty great, Banul says.
Can an old employer give a bad reference?
You may think that a past employer won’t give a negative reference, but unfortunately employers can — and do — give bad feedback. Think previous employers can’t legally give a negative reference or do more than confirm dates of employment? This is not true.
Can you use someone as a reference without asking?
Your references should be people you have worked for or worked with. Don’t use someone as a reference without asking them first. Do not assume your favorite teacher or former supervisor will give you a reference. Always ask for permission first and ask far enough in advance so they have enough time to say yes or no.
