Does this sound right?

[luvmk]

I don't think I've ever started a thread on the cb, but I now have a question and figured this would be the best place to receive an answer.

My dh's group had to let one of their partners go. This partner asked dh to write him a reference letter. Dh doesn't really want to because he is by far the worst partner they have ever had! Now, this is what doesn't seem right. He brought in "sample" letters that he has given people and vice versa to show what type of letter he expected. He then went on to say that he wanted it mailed to an employer, but also wants a copy emailed to him so he can store it on his hard drive. Is this normal? I thought those letters went directly to the employer and that's it. Our concern is that he would alter the letter in the future and we wouldn't know it. Maybe it's common now to have those letters on hard drive, I don't know. I would love to hear what everyone else thinks. Maybe my view is tainted because I know him personally.


Rachel

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I would probably write him a referral letter stating just the dates he worked with your DH and what his job duties were. If your DH wants, he can add a nice thing the guy did or something to try and help him out, but he's not required to.

I would NOT email it to the guy as he could alter it. I have never heard of anyone storing referral letters on an email server before.

Sounds like this guy is trying to get your DH to lie to help him get a job.

 

[Serena]

It sounds fishy to me, I would definitely not email anything. If he insists, then I wouldn't write anything.

 

[luvmk]

I have been thinking the same thing. It just didn't sound right to me. At least now I don't feel like I'm being overly suspicious.


Rachel

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well is you suspect he is the kind of person that would do that, it is probably really good that he isn't there anylonger.

I've never given email copies of letters but I don't think I've ever been asked to. Just off the top of my head I would say they wouldn't have a signature on them and wouldn't look authentic in any case.

I have written a couple of letters that I simply stated worked for the company from x to y and duties included blah blah blah. I think most employers reading that would get the point if the the letter didn't use words like excellent, trustworthy, hardworking or whatever.

OTOH, keep in mind that making this guy somebody else's problem isn't all that bad for your DH's company if they are going to be paying unemployment.

 

[CEDmom]

I work for a huge company so I realize our policies are very different from many other places but we're not allowed to provide letters of reference for a former colleague directly to another potential employer. All requests like this have to be filtered through our HR dept.

Does your DH's company have a HR person? If so I'd check this out that them before doing anything. I also wouldn't be bullied into doing anything I didn't feel comfortable with. It'll just come back to bite you.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just wanted to congratulate you, Rachel, on your first OP here on the CB.

 

[luvmk]

This is a small group of 5 partners and 3 p/t employees. There is'nt a HR dept. I know he's coming to dh because of the 5, dh tolerated him the most. I'll talk this over with dh when he gets home. We were discussing this last night and he couldn't decide what to do.

OT--Thanks, Dan! I love the eye closer for MGM. I get tears everytime I watch it!


Rachel

 

[ILUVDXL]

Like CEDmom, we are not allowed to give any kind of reference or recommendation for a former employee. I this this is standard procudre for most large corporations. If someone calls for a recommendation we refer them to HR, whose only responsibility, by law, is to confirm dates of employment. CEDmom's advice is sound. All too often such letters lead to suits.

 

[aprincessmom]

If someone calls for a recommendation we refer them to HR, whose only responsibility, by law, is to confirm dates of employment.

That is how it is at our company as well. We can only confirm the dates of employment.