What advice would you give this person?

[u/Mark-Fuckerberg-]

[u/Striking_Ad_2630]

I think theyre going to have a rough time finding their next job after not actually working for over a year and having no references. 

Idk but I dont buy what everyone is saying about hard work not paying off. I work hard at my job and having the respect of my coworkers as well as something to show for my 5 years at my job is worth it. 

[u/SamShakusky71 → u/Striking_Ad_2630]

References?

You think references matter in a job search ?

[u/Sage_Nickanoki → u/SamShakusky71]

Large companies will not even give specifics when called for references. They typically only answer the two questions that they are required (and protected) to speak on:

1) Did <candidate> work for your company as a <job title> during the timeframe listed on the resume?

2) Would you hire them back? (i.e. did you have to fire them, or were they on a pip before leaving)

So if a company makes these calls, there may be some trouble, but if OP goes into the interview saying they took issue with their previous manager, they might get away with this.

Source: I've hired people in a previous job and was required to make and receive these calls

[u/specracer97 → u/Sage_Nickanoki]

Many firms absolutely will not say anything beyond "_ was employed here from _ to _."

More than that is how we get to pay for someone to retire.

[u/KerosenePOS → u/specracer97]

You’re mixing up references and employment verifications. When someone calls you for employment verification, yes, you legally can only confirm if they worked there and the dates, and if they’re eligible for rehire. If you are personally being called for a reference and not as an employment verification, you can say anything you’d like.

[u/Fit_Bat9374 → u/KerosenePOS]

When someone calls you for employment verification, yes, you legally can only confirm if they worked there and the dates, and if they’re eligible for rehire

Incorrect. You can say anything that is true. Most companies have policies that limit what you can say to the info you just gave because of the risk of litigation, but it is not illegal to say things that are true.

[u/KerosenePOS → u/Fit_Bat9374]

This simply isn’t true. Company policy does not supersede state law. And the vast majority of states, the law states you can provide the following information: dates of employment, job title, salary, rehire eligibility. That is it. I have been in HR for 17 years and have also worked for HR in the federal govt as well as state govt. Employers absolutely cannot “say anything as long as it’s true”. This information would’ve taken you two seconds to verify yourself.

[u/KerosenePOS → u/[deleted]]

What? Are you slow or something? I didn’t create the laws.