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Josh – Referencing Dilema

I left my last position 12 months ago due to work place abuse – I received an apology and compensation but I cannot trust any reference I receive from them as I challenged a directors behaviour (and suitability to manage people) – a true Jekyll and Hyde.

I was off six months due to Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder (PDSD) caused by 2 and a half years of workplace abuse thus I cannot give my last employers reference, reason for leaving, or health/sickness times as this could immediately disqualify me, is there any solution without resulting to lying?

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avatar careersurgery 12 October 2005 Career Surgery
  • Steven George

    Be honest and open tell them the situation and tell them that you have the coping measures in place and now know the signs within yourself and others if you came through it you are a stronger person.

  • Fred Brooks

    It is unfortunate but abuse or bullying of employees is becoming more common place. It is a detestable side of management and really makes one wonder exactly what the selection criterion has become for appointing mangement personnel.
    As for Josh’s questions, there are ways of addressing this and turning the negative aspect of the situation into positives. The fact that Josh stuck this out for two plus years shows character, strength and staying power and he should promote these personal qualities and attributes when going after a job. Josh is obviously ready physically and mentally to move on and again portraying this as a positive strength and a personal commitment can overshadow possible doubts about his suitability for a future job position.
    Having to explain the situation is not easy but a suggestion could be along the lines of that you made a conscious decision to leave your last employer due to circumstances that, despite your willingness and best efforts to resolve, in the end you found difficult to deal with or have any influence over. The short version for CV or application form purposes could be that you decided to consider career alternatives and with more equitable organisations/employers. Never lie or try to hide anything but adopt a strategy whereby you play down the whole episode, period of illness etc., and very much ?play up? and focus and emphasise where you are now.
    As for references from your previous employer, don?t worry too much as there is always room for compromise and a statement of fact that you worked for them may be all you need.

  • Anonymous

    I, too, was the victim of the same kind of persecution. The person who caused me to have the near nervous breakdown resigned as soon as I had (which made me even more angry) . I too received a pittance in compensation and was seeking work for over a year. I ended up having to lie about everything as no-one would ever have believed that the blue chip organisation for which I had worked could have acted in such a reprehensible way.
    I was a senior manager earning a salary of over

  • Brian

    It seems strange that Josh let the abuse go on for two and a half years; seeing as he knew he was being treated unfairly…
    …alas, in applying for a new job he should quote his previous employers/abusers as referees to potential employers for if they lie, taint or exaggerate the reasons for his absence; he can then sue them for loss of potential earnings as it has been recorded that he has received compensation for their offence.
    If his previous employers are honest and tell the truth in future references then potential employers should not judge him unfavourably as he was deemed to be not at fault because he had received affore mentioned compensation.

  • Tim

    I am in a very similar situation at work,ie constant bullying and under improvent/recovery action plans. This is common in education and the long service staff are the ones that make easy targets.
    Josh could possibly ask someone senior in his firm,someone he can trust to act as referee. On the other hand,the employer might give a glowing reference just to get rid of this employee,thats how it usually works,anyway best wishes and good luck with the job hunt.

  • Romany

    Chances are that the company/person you worked for is well known for it’s/his/her abusive behaviour towards employees.
    My suggestions:
    1) Don’t feel embarrassed by the abuse – it can, and does, happen to anyone;
    2) Don’t feel embarrassed by being diagnosed with an emotional ‘disorder’ – every single person has some emotionally debilitating event at some stage in life;
    3) Get on with succeeding in your chosen career – do not let this one bad incident determine your future career path. Choose the top companies to apply to, and bombard (okay… send) them with your CV and an excellent cover letter;
    4) Be positive – in your daily life and your approach to a new job;
    5) Rebuild your confidence.
    You are responsible for your own future. Don’t let a bad incident tarnishyour progress.

  • Nigel Hamlin

    I think the solution has to be to tell the truth, Josh. The thing about abuse is that its victims do tend to rationalise what happens to them by internalising a belief that they really must have been at fault themselves, otherwise the situation would be inexplicable. That’s why you stuck out that intolerable situation for two and a half years. Most victims of abuse tend to end up feeling guilty and assuming that it was THEM that did something wrong. Well, you didn’t. And what’s more, in this case, you have a judicial decision to prove it! Or, at least, it’s implicit that you did take your case to tribunal, otherwise why did they pay compensation?
    I see nothing wrong with letting any prospective employer know, up front, about what happened to you, nor in you expressing your concerns about them asking this previous employer for a reference. Having said that, I wouldn’t necessarily be too concerned. Your old company has already formally accepted responsibility for what happened to you, and has made reparations, so why should they now decide not to give you a decent reference? Apart from anything else, my understanding is that (in the UK) the worst they should do is decline to give one, because it’s dangerous indeed to ever give anyone a bad reference. But, even if they did, as long as you’ve told the truth up front, any prospective employer will be able to understand the context from which that reference is coming.
    Oh, and finally, let me put it this way: if you told a prospective employer all about your experiences and as a result they were then insensitive or inconsiderate enough to decline you a position as a result, would they really have been the sort of employer that YOU would wish to work for anyway? I think not. Do remember, there ARE employers out there who operate with decency and a sense of respect for their employees, and it’s one of them that you need to find!

  • Pam

    Hi Josh, I am so sorry to hear of your bad experience working for an organisation. My advice to you is to stay focus and positive when you are looking for a job. If you attend an interview come clean about your situation, only if you are asked the question. But never show any anger when you are asked the question because the interviewer can easily pick this up. Always have a calm and assertive approach. I am sure the interviewers know you are faced with situations which are not very pleasant and they want to see how you react to the questions and also how you have dealt with the situation. Further advice take some time out to think about things and reflect what you are going to do going forward. Good luck to your job search and I hope you find what you are looking for.

  • M.Lewis

    Dear Josh,
    You have my complete sympathy. Please do not give up. I was naive because I did not belive that people could abuse their position and make life intolerable especially whe we pose no threat to them or their well being.
    I am in a similar position. I have not been able to find a job for the past year ever since leaving my previous position in Jan 2005. I am a graduate with a professional qualification in social work. i worked hard for this Msc and got a full time post in Children and Families for a local authority. A new supervisor (my third in a space of one year) destroyed my confidence through emotional bullying tactics that left me drained of energy, unable to focus and stressed out. I had no choice but to leave my post as I could not complain about her (I was afraid that I would be punished for speaking out). My manager was very fond of her despite concerns by other collegaues, she was promoted so I did not feel I could ask him to intervene or tell him about the situation.
    I joined an agency but her reference made it incredibly difficult for me to get further work. I have no disciplinary charges and any such thing on my record but her reference is couched in such a way that it is suggests any problems in supervision was all down to me. Now the gap in my CV is also working against me when all I want to do is work at a profession that I trained hard for and have skills to offer.
    I am at a loss at what to do because even when I try to get a job outside the profession, references are still required regarding my last post. As a result, I am stressed and our home is at risk as a loss of income has put a strain on mortgage and other financial obligations.
    The last straw was being acepted for a SW post at a L.A following an interview. A provisional contract was sent pending references and checks. My CRB and medical checks came back clear I learned three weeks ago that the job offer has been withdrawn because of the reference and the gap in employment.
    I am at a loss as to what to do, bored at home and desperate to work. Looking at job pages at posts that i am qualified for but afraid to apply. it is a bitter irony that one person can so destroy ones life with such inpunity. She has off course gone from strenght to strenght in the same profession.
    M. Lewis
    Any suggestions

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