Searching for a new job? In today’s politically correct age, many job seekers mistakenly believe that former employers are working under a “gag order;” that company policies prevent them from giving any employment information other than the standard “dates and title”.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even if your former employer’s policies dictate what information can be given (not all do), there’s no guarantee that an unhappy former co-worker or manager will adhere to them. And if they offer negative input, theirs may be the reference that ruins your chance for a great new job.
When former employers comment on you, what will they say? Allison & Taylor estimates that 50% of their references come back as “lukewarm” or “negative”. Don’t allow yourself to be surprised and sabotaged by an unfavorable reference. A simple reference check can tell you definitively whether or not a reference is providing a positive (and professional) response to inquiries made about you. If they are not, you can take proactive steps to prevent this continued spread of negative information, and you might even have legal recourse available to you.