Apparently not giving a reference makes me a...well..you know..

[That Anime Chick]

In the past few months, two people who were very good acquaintences left our company. Both were good workers. One left because her husband was transferred to another state. The other was let go because the position she was in was no longer applicable in our company.

They kept in touch, letting those they were buddy-buddy with how they were doing, etc.

Both have e-mailed me on separate occasions to give them personal and professional referneces. I asked our HR manager if I could do that and was told no, as it was against corporate policy. I told the one person who understood completely, and thanked me for letting her know before she put my name down.

The other person has decided that she is going to personally attack me and say nasty things about me to those here who work with me. I found this out because one of the other admins told me that S was upset that because I was denying her the opportunity to find work elsewhere because I wouldn't give a reference. She has gone as far as calling and threatening to get me fired. All of which has been reported to my manager and to HR. Unfortunately, since all she's doing is calling and harassing, all the company can do is refer it to the corporate legal counsel to see what can be done. In the meantime, I have to continue with getting looks and whispers behind my back.

[girlmusic]

Does the second person know it was HR's decision and not yours?

I think if anyone says anything to you, you let them know it was because of the corporate policy. "Miss Snotty is just so upset about this corprate policy that we all have to adhere to that it makes her say things she doesn't really mean. Of course I wish her all the success in the world in finding a new job!"

[sweedetobee]

I think you should ask HR or Corporate Compliance to send out a mass email to every employee in your company stating the reference policy. That will make it clear to all.

[Gemini]

Wait.... your HR department has a rule which precludes you from giving a PERSONAL reference??? How exactly do they enforce this?

I'm sorry to hear your former co-worker has chosen to react this way. Hope the harrassment stops.

[ShadesOfGrey]

Wait.... your HR department has a rule which precludes you from giving a PERSONAL reference??? How exactly do they enforce this?

I'm sorry to hear your former co-worker has chosen to react this way. Hope the harrassment stops.

They cant, personal references cant be policed by HR.  I think the OP asked about professional references.  Many companies have policies against giving references beyond dates employed and title, since they are actually liable (in the US) for what they say. 

As my former employer once said "Past behavior is no indication of future performance." 

::rolls eyes::

[Gemini]

They cant, personal references cant be policed by HR.  I think the OP asked about professional references. 

The OP stated personal and professional references. While I'm fully aware of the reasons why HR policy could prevent her from offering the professional references, I don't see how that could affect her ability to provide personal references. If she'd like to give a personal reference, that's up to her, not HR.

[Chocolate Cake]

Past behavior is no indication of future performance." 

Weird...I always heard that past behavior is the best indicator of future performance.

[CocoCamm]

Wait.... your HR department has a rule which precludes you from giving a PERSONAL reference??? How exactly do they enforce this?

I was wondering the same thing.

On a side note I think its really crappy that your company is so shotty to previous employees. It can be hard finding a good job and having good references from your previous company can really help. I've never understood the companies that wont give references, its like all the hard work you put in counted for 0.

Edited to Add: None of this is your fault and your "friend" is taking it out on the wrong person. How rude!

[Chocolate Cake]

From a liability standpoint, companies really can't do much more than verify just the facts:  title, dates of employment, compensation, etc.   

The problem with a company representative giving out any additional information, such as describing the employee's work performance in detail, is that the employee may not perform that way for the new employer.  In that case, the new employer could believe they have been led astray and seek damages. 

Additionally, the employee could take exception with how the former employer described his/her work performance and sue for slander. 

Unfortunately, if it didn't happen exactly that way to too many companies, employers would still be giving out references.  A few bad apples (on both sides of the fence) ruined it for everyone else.

[ShadesOfGrey]

Past behavior is no indication of future performance." 

Weird...I always heard that past behavior is the best indicator of future performance.

Typically it is, I think my previous employer was speaking from a "I dont want to be held liable for speaking the truth about this employee" perspective.  Which is why lots of companies dont give professional references.  

The OP doesnt say anything about choosing to give or not give a personal reference, just that she couldnt give a professional reference, and that that is what the friend is angry about.  

[Gigi]

My brother owned a casual restaurant and had lots of part-time employees over the years.  It was a good job for students and he hired several of them.  One of the students was not very reliable about showing up for her shifts, and he caught her stealing from the cash register.  She wasn't just suspected, she was actually caught in the act.  He let her go, of course.

A few weeks later he got a call from her prospective new employer.  He verified that she had worked for him.  When asked if he would re-hire her he said no.  When asked why not he told the other guy that she had stolen from him.  She didn't get the other job. 

A few weeks later he received notice that she had reported him to the labor board and he was in effect being sued for damaging her chances to find employment.  He had fully documented the whole thing so the case was dismissed, but he did have to take the time and go through the hassle of fighting the twirp with the labor board. 

It's incidents like this that make companies determine policies against giving out any more than the basic information about length of employment and job position.

[farmerted]

You most likely could have given a personal reference with out any trouble.  Aren't you glad that you didn't give a reference to this person.   I hope she gets a life and leaves you alone.

kathy

[dietcokeofevil]

There's no way your company could forbid you giving a personal reference.  My companies has the same policies against giving professional references.  We hire a lot of contractors, so we get a lot of other companies calling us about them.  If it's someone who I feel comfortable giving a personal reference for, I will take the call in a conference room and give them a reference, making it clear that it is from me and not my company.  If I do not feel comfortable, I will transfer the call to HR and let them handle it.

[MineralDiva]

I don't quite understand how your company can prevent you from providing a "personal" reference for someone. 

As for not getting or using a "professional reference," it's done all the time.  I did not use my last employer as a reference for my current position...although the people I work for now, know I worked at the last place of employment.

Reason being:  The boss and I had somewhat of a personality conflict at the time, and I wasn't sure I wanted to give her a reason to say anything unflattering...and certain personal comments had come back to me, from the "grapevine."  (Though my work was not in any way, anything she could badmouth.  It was actually the first time I'd been "fired" for doing a "good job."  She just couldn't afford to keep me on.)

It's been three years since I worked for this woman...and it's taken her all that time to finally look me in the eye and speak to me, without slinking past me like I'm going to deck her!  We're actually on good terms now.  (Not that we weren't before, but she was needlessly intimidated then, and has found out since, what a silly nut I really am.)

We get along reasonably well now, particularly in social situations.  But I still wouldn't use her as a formal "reference."  Yet, I have interaction on a regular basis with that office, in my current position, and have a very pleasant relationship now with she AND the staff there.

[That Anime Chick]

There's no way your company could forbid you giving a personal reference.  My companies has the same policies against giving professional references.  We hire a lot of contractors, so we get a lot of other companies calling us about them.  If it's someone who I feel comfortable giving a personal reference for, I will take the call in a conference room and give them a reference, making it clear that it is from me and not my company.  If I do not feel comfortable, I will transfer the call to HR and let them handle it.

It is spelled out quite clearly in the employee handbook (quote below):

"No references, personal or professional, may be given for a former employee if you (collective you) are still employed with Company. If you are asked to give a reference for a former employee, notify your HR manager immediately. Failure to notify HR and failure to comply with Company policies can result in disciplinary action, including and up to, termination."

While I agree that they really can't police whether or not I give a personal reference, I wouldn't do it purely for the fact that I like my job. I need my job. The mortgage isn't going to pay itself without it.