- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
Not true. You can state facts you can prove.
References are more about what you DON'T say than what you DO....
....... "competent to breathe for himself".....
Are references a thing of the past ?
- Thread starter CopperBeech
- Start date
References are more about what you DON'T say than what you DO....
....... "competent to breathe for himself".....
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
I don't see how they could be stopped as we have free speech in this country. On the other hand, a disgruntled ex-employee could certainly sue for defamation (slande/libel) and if what was said couldn't be proved, compensation could end up being quite substantial. But I'd be happy to be proved wrong. There's more than one way to skin a cat. But be careful what you put on an open forum.
To whom it may concern:
I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former employee of mine and with no qualifications whatsoever I would urge you to waste no time in making him an offer of employment."
All in all, I cannot say enough good things about this candidate or recommend him too highly. I must emphasis that you will be very fortunate to get him to work for you and I can therefore assure you that no person would be better for the job.
Yours Sincerely etc.
I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former employee of mine and with no qualifications whatsoever I would urge you to waste no time in making him an offer of employment."
All in all, I cannot say enough good things about this candidate or recommend him too highly. I must emphasis that you will be very fortunate to get him to work for you and I can therefore assure you that no person would be better for the job.
Yours Sincerely etc.
Don’t suppose his name was josh was it ?
CopperBeech
Member
- Location
- A Welsh man lost in England
No, but I’ve learnt from speaking to folk that there must be a lot of very similar lads out there!Don’t suppose his name was josh was it ?
Yeah there’s Definatly a few crooks out there… very annoying because you try too help them and they end up shafting you every time … luckily Iv not came across too many I tend too come across more of the type that say they’ve done a lot but really they’ve just watched a lot of Instagram
We had an apprentice who was promising initially but went off the rails fairly quickly. In the end, we had to give him an ultimatum and he left. On several occasions following this, potential employers came looking for references for him. We decided that it was better to simply not give references aside from stating employment dates. On one occasion a company sent us a long form to fill in. We decided to do this but were careful to keep the answers completely factual and unemotional.
Employment law can be a minefield and, even with an employment consultant available to keep things sweet, even they got things wrong sometimes. Getting it wrong and ending up in court can be very expensive. "Less is more" is never more true.
Employment law can be a minefield and, even with an employment consultant available to keep things sweet, even they got things wrong sometimes. Getting it wrong and ending up in court can be very expensive. "Less is more" is never more true.
- Location
- N.Lincs
He's not at Her Majesty's pleasure in an open prison is he?
The one we have in Lincolnshire has a flock of sheep.
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
Unless he's been convicted of a crime, you can't say these things as they are unproven allegations.
It really is better to say "I'd rather not" when asked to give a reference.
Most employers these days will just give a factual reference - Mr X worked for me from until . Even saying if someone was dismissed is risky as the criteria for dismissal may be a lot lower than for libel!
There does. Must be in all walks of life but I know of a couple of shepherd pansies that one day will get what’s coming to them.
- Location
- Fife
There was one had his jaw cracked a few years ago. He had some ewes off one of my tack customers. They looked great at scanning, and horrendous when they went home (taking scab with them).
There were 10 twin ewes missing. Shepherd soon learned not to f**k about with Welsh hill farmer.
No wonder it’s impossible to find decent long term staff, after reading these horror stories on here it puts you off looking!!
I employ an older bloke who can turn his hand to anything, was born on a farm, worked for the same family until his mid forties then made redundant, did something else up to turning sixty and then I had the good fortune of bumping into him, you could trust him with your life, always does what he says he has, an always looking for the next job!! Other than meeting my mrs and having the children he’s the best thing to happen to the place
I employ an older bloke who can turn his hand to anything, was born on a farm, worked for the same family until his mid forties then made redundant, did something else up to turning sixty and then I had the good fortune of bumping into him, you could trust him with your life, always does what he says he has, an always looking for the next job!! Other than meeting my mrs and having the children he’s the best thing to happen to the place
Princess Pooper
Member
- Location
- East Mids
I've been contacted on the phone a couple of times by prospective employers of ex-students here. I've always been honest and to be fair, the students have been pretty good. But I am quite happy to say 'no, she was never interested in tractor work, just wanted to work with the cows and calves, great attention to detail, but not over the top'. Which was good, because the reply was 'oh good. We are happy to do all the tractor work but the calves aren't getting the attention they need and milking tends to get in the way if we are busy with field work.'
- Location
- Fife
No wonder it’s impossible to find decent long term staff, after reading these horror stories on here it puts you off looking!!
I employ an older bloke who can turn his hand to anything, was born on a farm, worked for the same family until his mid forties then made redundant, did something else up to turning sixty and then I had the good fortune of bumping into him, you could trust him with your life, always does what he says he has, an always looking for the next job!! Other than meeting my mrs and having the children he’s the best thing to happen to the place
One major issue is few people want to provide experience. Everyone wants experienced staff.
- Location
- Shropshire
I employed someone that came well recommended, particularly by my other workman. He was here 6 years, but he was quite tricky to manage, and had a temper. When he left, it was on good terms, although I wasn’t sad to see him gone. He has since worked at 2 other farms over the last 12 months and left them both.
he rang up a few weeks ago asking if he could use me as a reference, and I said yes. They haven’t rung, but I would give them an honest answer.
He is punctual, exceptionally hard working and reliable. He is also a difficult character but his heart is in the right place.
I think I am probably just a bit soft as he hasn’t lasted more than 18 months anywhere else!
he rang up a few weeks ago asking if he could use me as a reference, and I said yes. They haven’t rung, but I would give them an honest answer.
He is punctual, exceptionally hard working and reliable. He is also a difficult character but his heart is in the right place.
I think I am probably just a bit soft as he hasn’t lasted more than 18 months anywhere else!
- Location
- Shropshire
I’m almost the opposite. I find people with experience tend to be set in their ways and can get quite shirty if you want things done differently.
I will pass this Gem to my lad. He has long lost any enthusiasm he once had, in "supporting" the wasters in his Unit.
There has been the odd exception, where he has helped such as the erring squaddie who fell into bad company, who is now a Lance jack, which does please him
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ollie989898
Member
I know a lot of employers now will only confirm the dates an employee worked for them and length of service. That is it. And to be fair, in some situations a lot of employees might fly under the radar and not be well known to their immediate line manager in big organisations.
I had a number of Students here over the years, some good, some less so.....
I had one exceptional Lad, who came to me after a couple of months on another farm. I had tendered for a large (by my standards) block of arable land and was fully intending to keep him on and offer him a full-time job, which I know he wanted here.
Sadly, it never came to fruition. So he had to leave, and I provided a really good reference. A few weeks later, I had a call from a farmer about 15 miles away, I didn't know him, but knew him by reputation... Good at the job.
He asked first if the lad was a relative!!
I assured him no and that the reference was legit. His response was that he had his doubts a lad could be that good. I was right, he was wrong, as the lad stopped there for around 15 years, leaving for a job with some serious prospects as a working foreman of a big team.
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