Nurse Manager said she can't give professional reference???

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2012

It's possible, sounds like a human resources policy... did you ask the manager, supervisor and resource nurse if they are willing to provide references before you gave their contact information?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2012

Lots of places have a company policy that only HR can give references. Don't feel she's "against" you because of this!

gaylarn4 · Jan 2, 2012

Going through the same thing-I too was shocked and upset! But yep, they have them go through HR!! HR did send me a form to sign (companies are covering themselves, something about not wanting to get sued if someone says they didn't get a job due to the reference given I believe), so that my previous direct mgr could give a more complete reference. I would go directly to HR and ask what can be done in order for a full reference to be given. Good Luck!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

All references for my company have to go via HR it is policy

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Did you ask your manager prior to giving our her contact information? If you still work for this place, I would look at their policy manual and/or call HR to ask. As others have said, every workplace has their own policies on situations such as this.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 2, 2012

A lot of employers do not allow managers to give references. It's actually quite a common policy. And you should always ask someone if you can give their name and contact information before you give it to anybody.

I recommend getting a copy of your official employee evaluations for the last 2 or 3 years. You can give copies to your prospective employer to show that your previous manager valued you. Use that to supplement any references given by peers or friends.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Ring the manager and ask her why. There may be a good reason that has nothing to do with you. If u didn't work under her directly, only clinical supervising managers you work with can give you a reference.

I'd get it from the horses' mouth.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 2, 2012

All references for my company have to go via HR it is policy

My employer has same policy. This protects the manager from saying something detrimental/illegal that can be used against the employer for wrongful termination suit

Yearly, I encourage my staff to make a copy of yearly eval as permitted by employer which is the best judge of overall performance.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Before you list anyone for references, make sure to ask them first. That's always the rule, to avoid these situations.

allnurses Guide · Jan 2, 2012

I ran into this a few years ago as well with a couple of former supervisors that I had worked with at a particular job. They told me that they were not allowed to provide references for me, that it all had to go through HR.

It was puzzling; I didn't understand how any HR department could enforce this policy. If a supervisor wanted to provide a personal, professional reference for a former employee, how could they stop them? I guess if SOMEHOW the HR department found out, the person could be fired.

I think they just didn't want to be bothered with it. I mean, I'm sure they weren't lying about the policy, but if they had really wanted to help me... no one can stop them from having someone call them at HOME so that they can provide a reference.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Every place on earth says to go through HR. If I have asked and they have said no it was because they didn't want to give me a good reference. If I have asked and they have said yes it was glowing.