rosslarkin

An ex employee has asked me for a reference, but I've never written one. What do I include? Any templates?

Daaaaave

so-and-so was an employee from x to x. during his time here, I found him/her to be x, y, and z. I would/would not employ him/her again.

name

rosslarkin

That easy? Pah

gamesrater

probably want to change the letters to the actual details of the situation as well. might come across a bit arsey otherwise

ACou2000

especially the from "x to x" bit

suggests they were sacked on the spot

Helarxe

You should always be nice in references, especially when it's going to give a competitor a bad employee.

neonexile

Can't really give a genuine bad reference. If it's someone you wouldn't recommend, just refuse. Otherwise, the spectacular template above will do nicely.

Fat Bhoy Tim

whs. If give them the generic stuff, they'll know it's because you have decent to say. Which says enough really.

Jearm84

can you give a bad reference
thought you were only now permitted to decline giving one (i.e. it would be bad)

Docker

If you get a reference that purely says so and so worked here between x & y then you can safely assume that it is hardly one glowing with praise.