Got a bad job reference? Then you should definitely act

Every employee is entitled to a “benevolent” job reference.

But opinions about it often differ widely.

How to defend yourself against a bad job reference.

After the termination, employees have a legal right to a truthful job reference * from the employer (§630 BGB, §109 GewO).

This contains information on the type and duration of the activity.

In the case of a qualified certificate, the performance and social behavior are assessed.

Job reference must be worded “benevolently”

So that employees do not suffer any disadvantages when looking for a job, employers are obliged to always phrase this "benevolently".

In fact, behind some “positive” formulations there is actually a bad grade.

Employees are of course aware of these “secret codes”, which employers use to send hidden signals to other companies - to the detriment of those seeking the application.

Got a bad job reference?

This is to be done now

If you too do not agree with your assessment in the job reference, you can defend yourself against it. First seek a conversation with the author of the job reference. "With a 

polite question

 you can usually achieve more than with direct criticism," advises the personnel service provider

Rober Half.

In fact, some unfortunate phrases arise out of ignorance - and it should sound positive. Incidentally, you can request rework until the certificate contains a 

realistic assessment of your performance

 .

If the employer is unreasonable, you should

formulate

a

written objection

. "In it you list all the passages that you object to and suggest alternative formulations", informs the portal

karrierebibel.de

. If the employer does not make any corrections afterwards, you can

submit

an action to correct the certificate

within three weeks of

receiving the certificate

.

"However, the burden of proof lies with you, as long as the certificate is not worse than the average grade 3," the portal continues. However, you shouldn't wait too long with your complaint: the right to have your job reference corrected expires after 15 months at the latest.

(as) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

.

More on the topic

: Job reference: These five points are important

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