I won't get a good refernce from previous employer

[kimkmil100]

What do i when the prospective new employer asks if they can call my previous employer for a reference, when I know I will receive a bad one. I need this reference or at least a very good explanation because I had 13years with this company and new company is not going to want to hire me without being able to verify I would be good at the job. It's medical billing. I was the office manager as well and one of the employees I was to manage was the doctors daughter. After 13 years, I was never able to manage her and what she said and did was never wrong yet other employees had to adhere to rules that she didnt have to. We finally had a conflict of interest that could not be resolved and one of us had to go, and she was family.

[horsestache1]

It is illegal to give a bad reference, and you would have a right to go to tribunal if this were to happen.

It also sounds as if you have a case for unfair dissmisal, even if you chose to leave your last job. Go to the CAB and get advice.

[halfadaily]

I had a similar experiance with my last job, a conflict with new staff that were brought in. Eventually when I left I was not given a bad referance, but a nondescript one, i.e. Mr x worked for us for 10 years. Short and sweet. It's up to future employers as to how they interpret that !

[stumpage]

Sorry horsestache1 you are wrong. It is not illegal. You can give a bad (but truthful) reference as long as the reference is honest, fair and not misleading or malicious.
As long as the person you are giving the reference for is aware of the things you are referring to then a bad reference can be given. For example if you state that an employee was late on 60 occasions and can back it up with a time sheet, or a bad disciplinary record that the employee has been given official warnings for that have been recorded in their personnel file. Then it is ok.

[bazmoore]

i worked for a very large bue chip company and the only reference they would provide was to confirm that i was employed by them from date a to date b
i have found that references very rarely go into any detail at all so dont get hung up on it
baz

[kwicky]

If its not too late your last employer should give you the written reference to take to your new employer. As it is unlikely that it will not be the only job you have to go for this would be more useful in your case. If it turned out to be a bad reference you would have to seek other arrangements but at least it would save time in going for a abortive interview.