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Being provided with a poor reference

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the_velvet_girl
the_velvet_girl Community member Posts: 107 Courageous
edited March 2018 in Work and employment
I failed a probation period in my previous employment last year. I was offered a new job recently but the offer was withdrawn due to an unsatisfactory reference. My previous boss had ticked a poor attendance box on the reference form & had not competed a specialist knowledge section. My poor attendance was due to disability related sickness. I really struggled in the role but would have thought my boss might be able to write something positive on the reference.
As I was unable to provide another reference from my last employment, the job offer was withdrawn. The company would not accept a reference from HR that confirmed the dates I worked for the previous organisation. An employment agency have also told me I have a very limited chance of finding a job in my chosen profession with the reference.
I'm now wondering if I should leave my previous role off of my CV? I had a career break recently so I could just extend this to cover my probation period. Is it legal to leave a job off a CV or application form? I really can't see me getting another job with the reference!
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,741 Listener
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    The user and all related content has been deleted.
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  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,593 Disability Gamechanger
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    @the_velvet_girl

    Phone ACAS helpline for advice.  I don't think it's illegal to leave a job off a CV.  Many people do leave short-term jobs that didn't work out off their CVs with no recriminations!
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  • Mwila_Scope
    Mwila_Scope Scope Posts: 52 Pioneering
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    HI @the_velvet_girl

    I hope you are well and sorry to hear about your situation. Nothing worse than feeling the feeling of  elation from receiving a job offer, only for it to be withdrawn due to a unsatisfactory reference from a previous employer.

    As @Victoriad mentioned, an employer cannot legally give you a bad reference based on their opinion, but they can however indicate whether your attendance record was considered poor as well as other areas of your performance.
    How long was your probation period for? 
    It is not illegal to leave off certain areas of employment off your CV, as people tend to do this, especially with job short term jobs or jobs that are not relevant to the roles they are applying for you should be fine. You can obviously mention that you took a short career break during that time. 

    hope that helps 
    Mwila
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork
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  • the_velvet_girl
    the_velvet_girl Community member Posts: 107 Courageous
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    My probation period was for 6 months. I think I'm going to leave my previous role off my CV. I have a good reference from the job I had before that one so hopefully that will help me get a job.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,741 Listener
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    The user and all related content has been deleted.
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  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,593 Disability Gamechanger
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    That sounds like a good idea.
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