can a reference be changed?

hi. i am new to this and have no clue about how this system worked. i am having problems getting a positive reference from my previous company.

one time i needed a reference (after resigning) because a prospect employer needed it that week, i phoned HR to request one.  They have sent me an email asking if I was happy for them to send it that way, so I said yes,  just after reading it through (thinking the prospect employer know what happened already anyway via the interview).....What I did not realize was, that was THE reference already forever.

i had problems with my previous employer but before any disciplinary was decided, I resigned due to stress.  what they promised me was a basic reference.

what happens is that with every job interview I have, I always tell them about what happened with my previous employer and that they would not expect a positive reference from them.  but after they receive the reference, they always withraw the job offer after.

 i do not know what to do.

would i be able to tell HR that I am not happy with the reference we agreed of sending (i thought they would only send it to that specific employer, once) and if we could change it to a basic one???  the statement in the reference is very incriminating and demeaning that they are saying my integrity and competency are questionable and I left before it was decided.

i am a professional and now I could never even get whatever job.... not even anything because of this...

 

please help. 

thanks

 

• Filed under: references, employment references, employment law, HR, resignation, disciplinary, freedom of information, law, restrictive covenants, job application, nhs, job offer, code of practice, change reference, reference
• | Post Points: 70

Dear INEJ31, Hf the reference they are giving is inaccurate or misleading then you can do something to stop them sending it out to prospective employers, and could possibly take legal action against them to seek compensation for the losses arising from them giving this reference out. Too many issues arise here to advise you fully about this, so I will just cover off the main points: First of all, you should contact your former employer in writing and tell them that you no longer consent to that reference being given. Then, if they do give that reference in future they will have unlawfully processed data relating to you and you could complain to the Information Commissioner about it. Secondly, the Information Commissioner's website (www.ico.gov.uk) has a lot of guidance about your rights that may help. Thirdly, go and take advice from an employment lawyer. Hope you manage to get it sorted out. PB54

• | Post Points: 5