In your workplace

Q: I have been looking for a new challenge in my nursing career and I was recently offered a new job. All I need is a reference from my current employer but when I asked they said they will not write me a reference. Are they obliged to give me a reference and if so, how do I ensure it is truthful?

A: It may surprise many people but your employee is not required to give references to staff. While it is considered morally correct to support staff in their career development, there is no statutory duty to provide an existing or ex-employee with a reference. In the past, this was quite difficult as a refusal to give a reference was often interpreted by a prospective employer to mean the individual was not good at their job or that there was some other performance issue. But things have changed, and it is an increasingly common practice for employers not to provide a reference, or give only a basic one. So, there is no need to be overly worried.