If you are looking for a job, you need all the help you can get, especially in these tough economic times. Positive references from former employers can go a long way towards getting your foot in the door of a new job. Negative references can have an equally strong effect, but the door is more likely to slam in your face. So what are your rights if you lose a job opportunity because of a bad reference? And how can you avoid this situation in the future?
If you aren't hired because of a bad reference, you may have a legal claim against your former employer. The most common is for defamation. Defamation occurs when someone makes an intentional false statement that causes another person injury. To prove defamation in the context of references, you must be able to show:
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Most people who are looking for work would rather have a job than a potential lawsuit. The best way to protect yourself from a bad reference is to do your homework ahead of time. Get in touch with your former managers and let them know you are in the midst of a job search. Ask them if they are willing to serve as references for you, if you are asked to provide names. Ask them up front whether they can give you a positive reference and what they will say if a prospective employer calls.
Offer to take your references out to lunch and catch them up on your experience and accomplishments. Explain what types of jobs you're looking for and ask them to share any advice or leads they might have. Try to remind them of projects you worked on or other positive experiences at their company. If they agree to serve as a reference, thank them for their help -- and thank them again after you get a job.
You can't always predict who a manager will contact for a reference. Even if you provide a list of names, the manager may decide to call others at the company. In this situation, the best you can do is to offer an explanation. For example, if you know that the company you're interviewing with calls every applicant's last three managers, and you know one of those manager doesn't like you, you might want to say something about it. You could tell the hiring manager that you didn't have a good relationship with that previous manager, but that you did good work despite the lack of chemistry, and that you have had positive relationships with your other managers. You might offer the name of someone else at the company who can vouch for your performance.
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If you are missing out on job opportunities because of a negative reference from a previous employer, you might want to consult with an employment lawyer. A lawyer can figure out whether you have any legal claims against the prior employer and how best to protect your rights.
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