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If I ask you to be my reference then you can say "Sorry mate I won't give you a positive reference because I don't believe you produce quality work. HR can conf
by sheepmullet 12y ago
If I ask you to be my reference then you can say "Sorry mate I won't give you a positive reference because I don't believe you produce quality work. HR can confirm your start and finish date but if they talk to me I won't have anything positive to say." And that's completely ethical.
On the other hand if you say "Yeah great mate no problem" and then tell my potential new employer they shouldn't hire me you are acting like a scumbag.
- tptacek 12y agoLying is always unethical. We don't need a special "reference lying" ethical rule.
- sheepmullet 12y agoI'm not sure what you are trying to say. I'm not talking about or supporting lying. I'm saying an employer needs to be professional when providing a reference. If you cannot be professional about it and understand that context is very difficult to convey over the phone with somebody you don't know then let HR handle it and at least be upfront that you aren't going to provide a good reference.