There is no legal obligation for employers to provide a reference and in the case of gross misconduct it is not unusual for an employer to refuse to provide a reference. When providing a reference employers have a duty to take reasonable care that it is true, accurate, and fair.
If your current or previous employer has provided a misleading reference, they may be liable for any economic loss you have suffered as a result of any negligent misstatement.
Subject to the rules which restrict some employers (for example in the context of regulatory requirements), reference wording can usually be negotiated as part of an exit to assist with a smooth transition into your next role.
Vardags Limited is a limited company trading as Vardags, Company No 7199468, registered in England and Wales, having its registered office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. Vardags is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 535955). Its VAT number is 99 001 7230.
Vardags uses the term ‘Partner’ as a professional title only, to describe a Senior Solicitor, Employee or Consultant with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications (whether legally qualified or otherwise) to merit the title. Our Partners are not partners in the legal sense. They are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of Vardags Limited. Similarly, the term ’Director’ is a professional title only, to describe a non-legally qualified employee or consultant of Vardags with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications to merit the title. It does not necessarily imply that the relevant individual is a director of Vardags Limited.
A list of the directors of Vardags Limited and a list of the names of those using the title of ’Director’ and ’Partner’ together with their official status is available for inspection at Vardags’ registered office.