When I left a job two years ago my then employer gave me such a good reference that I put her name down when I replied to another job advertisement. But when the firm rang her she said I’d left under a cloud, which of course wasn’t true. Needless to say I didn’t get the job. Do I have any redress?
Employers aren’t obliged to provide references, but if they do the reference should be accurate or they lay themselves open to an action for negligence. However in this case your former employer gave the information in a ‘phone call, so it would probably be difficult for you to prove what was said. If you think the firm you wanted to work for would back you up see a solicitor.