Ethical Question (I Need Some Advice)
My company hired a horrible employee about a year ago. I have honestly never (ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, etc.) seen a worse employee than this guy. He was fired in March (after he had ran away a couple of our customers) but the company was concerned about a law suit, so instead of explaining everything he did wrong they blamed his dismissal on downsizing. This former co-worker asked me a couple of weeks ago if he could list me as a job reference for him. I didn't want to explain how low I thought of him as an employee, and figuring that most companies don't call their references, I agreed. Then a couple of days ago the company called me for a reference about him. It went to my voicemail and they asked me to call them back. That guy called me yesterday but I was busy and unable to answer the call, so he left me a voicemail asking me to call that company.
If I call that company I would feel obligated to be honest and explain what a horrible employee and co-worker he was (I honestly have thought long and hard about it and have nothing positive to say about him as an employee), but at the same time I would feel guilty for letting someone down who apparently believes they can rely on me.
The best I can come up with is to tell him how busy I was this last week if he asks why I didn't call the company back. In retrospect I should have told him "no" to being a reference but I can't imagine anyone refusing to be a reference for anyone they liked or really respected at all, and I certainly did not want to have a lengthy conversation with a guy who was fired and did not know it.
Anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation?
Re: Ethical Question (I Need Some Advice)
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscGo
My company hired a horrible employee about a year ago. I have honestly never (ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, etc.) seen a worse employee than this guy. He was fired in March (after he had ran away a couple of our customers) but the company was concerned about a law suit, so instead of explaining everything he did wrong they blamed his dismissal on downsizing. This former co-worker asked me a couple of weeks ago if he could list me as a job reference for him. I didn't want to explain how low I thought of him as an employee, and figuring that most companies don't call their references, I agreed. Then a couple of days ago the company called me for a reference about him. It went to my voicemail and they asked me to call them back. That guy called me yesterday but I was busy and unable to answer the call, so he left me a voicemail asking me to call that company.
If I call that company I would feel obligated to be honest and explain what a horrible employee and co-worker he was (I honestly have thought long and hard about it and have nothing positive to say about him as an employee), but at the same time I would feel guilty for letting someone down who apparently believes they can rely on me.
The best I can come up with is to tell him how busy I was this last week if he asks why I didn't call the company back. In retrospect I should have told him "no" to being a reference but I can't imagine anyone refusing to be a reference for anyone they liked or really respected at all, and I certainly did not want to have a lengthy conversation with a guy who was fired and did not know it.
Anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation?
semantics but did you say you would be a positive reference or just a reference? worst case you just ignore they guy and the company and just let it drop or you can be nice to the company and tell them what you really think but they may in the end just figure you are being vindictive over something personal and blow off your negative referral anyhow. In the end I would NOT give a good referral if he sucked at his job that is just passing the buck to another person to spend the 5 minutes of explaining that he sucks :popcorn: as I have told people before this is life not rec sports and not everyone gets a trophy :)
Re: Ethical Question (I Need Some Advice)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee
Did you say you would be a positive reference or just a reference?
Reference. I was very careful not to say positive :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee
As I have told people before this is life not rec sports and not everyone gets a trophy :)
Agreed. That is how I feel too.
Re: Ethical Question (I Need Some Advice)
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscGo
but the company was concerned about a law suit, so instead of explaining everything he did wrong they blamed his dismissal on downsizing.
out of curiosity, did the company's decision to downplay the reason for the firing at all play a role in how you interacted with this x-employee in determining whether you'd serve as a reference?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Discgo
This former co-worker asked me a couple of weeks ago if he could list me as a job reference for him. I didn't want to explain how low I thought of him as an employee,
i would say you should feel confident telling him that you are unable to serve as a reference. you should also feel that you don't need to disclose the reasons for not serving as a reference unless you want to. you are not obligated to give him an answer if you turn him down, regardless of how he responds to you. it's a difficult situation, but he's putting you in it.
Quote:
and figuring that most companies don't call their references, I agreed.
i agree whole-heartedly with the others ... never say you can serve as a reference unless you feel you can.
and your decision to tell him that you don't feel it's appropriate to serve as a reference for him is candid and reasonable.
Re: Ethical Question (I Need Some Advice)
Quote:
Originally Posted by stefan
Did the company's decision to downplay the reason for the firing at all play a role in how you interacted with this x-employee in determining whether you'd serve as a reference?
Not at all. I actually second guessed working at my company which would allow him to remain employed there for so long because he was so horrible. He originally asked me if he could put me down as a reference and yes I know there is an implication of "will you be a good reference" but I was trying to slide through a loop hole and just assume I wouldn't be called.
I emailed him (the above email) and he took it really well.
In the end this isn't the biggest thing, but I do feel like integrity is important and I did slide into a position in which I felt very uncomfortable with this situation. I have done what I can to rectify the situation and will tred more carefully going forward.
Thanks again guys.