I have a bad referee... can I do anything?

[MKR&*42]

tl;dr is at bottom yeah.
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Basically, I had to leave my job in December with Nationwide because the workload had got ridiculously low and there were too many staff there (4 others went as well, not just me). Obviously it wasn't the best thing ever, but I expected to have another job at Nationwide (I was hired through a recruitment agency and it is very easy to go from one job role to another with manager's approval) by mid-January due to what the recruitment agency had told me.

However, a few weeks later I got in contact with the agency via email and they replied back to me saying that I couldn't proceed getting into another job at nationwide because the questions they had asked my manager came back with negative results. So I got in contact again to see if I was allowed to view the answers and my manager replied stating that I was unreliable, had a bad attitude to work, regularly failed to meet targets etc. and I tried to tell the recruitment agency this was all pretty much made up because I had reported my manager a month or two beforehand for her behaviour towards me (she knew) and others in the workplace.

Their response was essentially "her word against yours" and I dont know what to do. If I try and give places references I generally avoid putting her down, but a lot of companies want your most recent employer and I just dunno what to do. It's put me off actually trying to apply for lots of jobs recently because I know if they get in contact with her, she will just make up lies again and do everything to ensure I cant get employment It might seem as if I'm overreacting but she is actually a nasty piece of work, alongside all of her comments + bad reference, she also decided not tot ell the company I'd quit until i got in contact with them... thus delaying 600 pounds I was owed for nearly 2 months.
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tl;dr, old manager hated me and is determined to make sure i dont get employed, most companies want most recent reference and that is her, put me off applying for a lot of jobs cause she'll just bs, is there... anything at all... i can do?

[Chippiewill]

What an evil little *****.

Only thing I can think of is to get evidence of reporting her and testimonies from others.

[Inseriousity.]

Bad references

If the worker thinks they’ve been given an unfair or misleading reference, they may be able to claim damages in a court. The previous employer must be able to back up the reference, eg by supplying examples of warning letters.
Workers must be able to show that:

• it’s misleading or inaccurate
• they ‘suffered a loss’, eg a job offer was withdrawn

Workers can get legal advice, eg from Citizens Advice. They may also getlegal aid.
www.gov.uk.
I'd try this citizens advice thing. See where you stand. If it's untrue then there won't be any proof your ***** of an ex-boss can use (warning letters).

[FlyingJesus]

You think that's bad we were 2-1 up this evening due to MY WINNING GOAL and in the last minute the referee got in the way of a stray pass and knocked it right into the path of an opposing striker who levelled I am so annoyed

Edited by mdport. (Forum Moderator): Please don't post off-topic.

[MKR&*42]

Wow Tom I'm speechless.

[j0rd]

this may help
http://employment.findlaw.com/hiring...-illegal-.html

[Joe]

Giving a bad reference is illegal. Everyone above has given you the appropriate links.

[scottish]

Giving a bad reference is illegal. Everyone above has given you the appropriate links.

Giving a bad reference isn't illegal

[Joe]

Giving a bad reference isn't illegal

You are correct. My bad, just going from what I've been told in the past, i've been LIED TO!!!

[ihatehash]

Giving a bad reference is actually illegal in New Zealand (I guess it is different in the UK). Here they will just refuse to give a reference rather than giving a bad reference.

Secondly you do not have to have your boss as your reference, yes they are ideal but given your situation I would look for someone else. Is there someone you worked with perhaps a supervisor or a senior that could give you a reference.
At my old job as I was a supervisor I would often be asked to give references when people didn't want to ask the boss or let the boss know that they were intending on leaving. I hope it all works out.