RM need my permission before giving new job a reference

[thefemalepostie]

Had an email today about my reference from RM.

Apparently they contacted Royal Mail and they have written back to my new hr department saying that Royal Mail need my permission before giving a reference.

Is this normal at RM? Should I be worried that I will now get a bad reference?

I started my new job this week an absolutely love it! I don't want to get screwed over by RM and get sacked for a poor reference!

[clashcityrocker]

If your new employer was that interested they would have taken up references before offering you employment.
And RM don't do personal references anyway.

[fb1969]

Before joining the RM I worked for thr civil service, and I had to give them my permission to provide a reference if anyone asked. The wonder of data protection I would think. So I can't see you have annything to worry about.

[meercat]

you can't refuse it will look very odd. what have you done wrong to be so scared of? but yes ive also heard the reference will only confirm the dates you worked for the company.

[thefemalepostie]

I had just never heard of them asking for the persons permission before giving a refernce before. I would of thought the fact I put them down as a reference would of shown I have my permission.

I wasn't going to refuse permission at all. I am going to sign the form on Monday and then HR will post that to Royal Mail HR and hopefully they will then give a reference to my new job.

Thanks everyone for the help xxxx

[meercat]

I had just never heard of them asking for the persons permission before giving a refernce before. I would of thought the fact I put them down as a reference would of shown I have my permission.

I wasn't going to refuse permission at all. I am going to sign the form on Monday and then HR will post that to Royal Mail HR and hopefully they will then give a reference to my new job.
Thanks everyone for the help xxxx

well your new employer can send a copy of your reference list but you can't expect RM to know its your hand writing! I would think to comply with data protection and confidentiality legislation RM need your permission before releasing your work dates. well done getting the new job!

btw for the other poster lots of companies get references after hiring the staff. one person at our depot was sacked a week after starting because of previous dodgy behaviour!

[thefemalepostie]

I had just never heard of them asking for the persons permission before giving a refernce before. I would of thought the fact I put them down as a reference would of shown I have my permission.

I wasn't going to refuse permission at all. I am going to sign the form on Monday and then HR will post that to Royal Mail HR and hopefully they will then give a reference to my new job.
Thanks everyone for the help xxxx

well your new employer can send a copy of your reference list but you can't expect RM to know its your hand writing! I would think to comply with data protection and confidentiality legislation RM need your permission before releasing your work dates. well done getting the new job!

btw for the other poster lots of companies get references after hiring the staff. one person at our depot was sacked a week after starting because of previous dodgy behaviour!

Thanks meercat. Just getting a but paranoid after the problems I have had and even when I have left are still having with RM!!

I am having other problems that I will go into detail with when sorted, and so was panicky when RM sent this letter to my new HR dept after there request for a reference. I had already warned new hr that RM will just state that I worked there x to x dates and attendance etc.... So they are prepared.

My previous boss before RM has called tonight to say they have already returned the reference request they received and I wouldn't be disappointed so hoping it will all be ok.

Just enjoying my new job so much this week that I wouldn't want it to come crashing down cos of RM!

[maisymoo04]

Had an email today about my reference from RM.

Apparently they contacted Royal Mail and they have written back to my new hr department saying that Royal Mail need my permission before giving a reference.

Is this normal at RM? Should I be worried that I will now get a bad reference?

I started my new job this week an absolutely love it! I don't want to get screwed over by RM and get sacked for a poor reference!

Sorry to hear you had to leave wish I had the bottle too leave good luck exfemalepostie ha

[roger]

I would just like to add,contrary to what a lot of people think RM do not just give start and leaving date for a reference they also respond to questions asked, such as how many days off sick has the person had in the last year,has the person had any disciplinary action against them,we're there any disciplinary hearings outstanding when they left and would you re-employ that person again and what was the reason for them leaving.I know this because I saw my reference after I had started my new job.

[thefemalepostie]

I would just like to add,contrary to what a lot of people think RM do not just give start and leaving date for a reference they also respond to questions asked, such as how many days off sick has the person had in the last year,has the person had any disciplinary action against them,we're there any disciplinary hearings outstanding when they left and would you re-employ that person again and what was the reason for them leaving.I know this because I saw my reference after I had started my new job.

Oh great! That's me probably screwed over then! I know my DOM wouldn't re-employ me after the 'problems' I caused by not wanting to put up with bullying.

Here's hoping it all goes ok as I like my new job. They have asked for 3 references and I know the other 2 will be good to excellent so hopefully that will be enough.

[hantsman]

I would just like to add,contrary to what a lot of people think RM do not just give start and leaving date for a reference they also respond to questions asked, such as how many days off sick has the person had in the last year,has the person had any disciplinary action against them,we're there any disciplinary hearings outstanding when they left and would you re-employ that person again and what was the reason for them leaving.I know this because I saw my reference after I had started my new job.

Not true, RM only supply dates, job title, reason for leaving, nothing else.

[roger]

I would just like to add,contrary to what a lot of people think RM do not just give start and leaving date for a reference they also respond to questions asked, such as how many days off sick has the person had in the last year,has the person had any disciplinary action against them,we're there any disciplinary hearings outstanding when they left and would you re-employ that person again and what was the reason for them leaving.I know this because I saw my reference after I had started my new job.

Not true, RM only supply dates, job title, reason for leaving, nothing else.

Well in that case I must be very special because I saw my reference with my own eyes,and I'm not a liar.

[fishtank]

You are entitled to see any reference RM hand out.
Legally they must only contain facts.
Legally it's very dangerous to contain "opinion" statements,a statement like "would you employ this person again" is ridiculous because the reference comes from HR who have no contact with you at all.
Royal Mail are very nervous about their references,do not do personal references and only send out the basic reference to employers.
If you are worried contact HR and ask for a copy,the advice on here about references always turns into a row for some reason but some of the things people claim are in the standard reference are quite frankly ridiculous.

[hantsman]

I would just like to add,contrary to what a lot of people think RM do not just give start and leaving date for a reference they also respond to questions asked, such as how many days off sick has the person had in the last year,has the person had any disciplinary action against them,we're there any disciplinary hearings outstanding when they left and would you re-employ that person again and what was the reason for them leaving.I know this because I saw my reference after I had started my new job.

Not true, RM only supply dates, job title, reason for leaving, nothing else.

Well in that case I must be very special because I saw my reference with my own eyes,and I'm not a liar.

Scan in your letter on here then minus your personal details.

[hantsman]

You are entitled to see any reference RM hand out.
Legally they must only contain facts.
Legally it's very dangerous to contain "opinion" statements,a statement like "would you employ this person again" is ridiculous because the reference comes from HR who have no contact with you at all.
Royal Mail are very nervous about their references,do not do personal references and only send out the basic reference to employers.
If you are worried contact HR and ask for a copy,the advice on here about references always turns into a row for some reason but some of the things people claim are in the standard reference are quite frankly ridiculous.

As you know FT RM send out the reference they give you in your leaving pack, if potential employers then write to RM they get the same reference. I think somebody sent postman their RM reference and he confirmed its just basic facts.