Do I Give My New Employer References?

Large companies have a policy that they will only give out your dates of employment or if you signed a separation agreement with a neutral reference clause, that's all a prospective employer is going to receive. The "mom and pop" companies is where the problem lies. Obviously, you can never know what your employer or co-worker will say about you. Having said that, there are companies out there like Global Verification Services or Document Reference Check who contact your former employer and record your employer's comments about your separation, work performance, etc. You're the best employee in the world when you're working for the employer but when you're gone and the employer stumbles on something that was misplaced or done incorrectly, you're the one they blame and you're not there to defend yourself. Suddenly, the phone rings from a prospective employer wanting a reference and guess what, you're a horrible worker and you don't get that glowing reference you expected. So what do you do? Prepare the prospective employer with the worst. Tell the prospective employer the problems with the former employer and let them decide. The truth will set you free..