References
By Gail Escolme, 06 May 2010 –
It is becoming more and more common for employers to give factual references only -so that they just confirm the employment dates and job title - effectively to plug the gap in the employment history. This is to reduce the risk and hopefully avoid a claim being made against them by a third party. So you would not, as an employer, give a reference saying an ex employee is "honest as the day is long" when they have just been sacked for theft! Employers should be wary of what they say in references and employees should not be offended if the reference is somewhat shorter than they would have expected. This is just the way references are likely to be dealt with in this litigious society we live in.
A couple of cracking references I have heard of are as follows:-
" You will be very lucky to get this man to work for you"
"He left as he started - fired with enthusiasm."
I am sure that many an employer has been sorely tempted to send a heartfelt reference such as these - my advice - resist!!