Intriguing . . .

[trystinn]

I'm currently avoiding phone calls from a local casino where Danielle has apparently put in a resume. As much as I want her to succeed, and I do, I'm a bit worn out from the whole disaster. I gave her an insanely great reference (this was before her meltdown) for the Visiting Angels (home senior care) and she walked off that job. Whether she told them she was quitting is open to debate, and in any case she didn't give them notice - leaving seniors home alone with no warning and her employer scrambling to cover and find Danielle.

I'm waffling. I don't want to tell Danielle I'm unwilling to snow job her new employer, but on the other hand I can't keep avoiding the calls. How on earth do folks give references for folks who have had breakdowns? Especially within the last year? And especially when they personally got burned?

Ugh

Comments

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

If I feel like I can't honestly give a good reference for someone, I will either not take the calls or I'll tell the employer that I can't give a reference. Most folks won't call more than a couple of times before they move on to the next person on the list. (I know that for my agency, I'm only required to get two references, so if they give me more than that, I'm going to use the two that are easiest to get information from.)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

*sigh* You're right. I should just take the call and waffle greatly.

[goddessmusings.livejournal.com]

I'd probably keep ignoring the calls for today. Usually they will give up pretty quick.

The one time I did get stuck, I told the potential employer that I was friends with the person, but that I had never worked with her so I couldn't give a professional reference. Only a personal reference. It kept the peace with the friend, but the HR lady also read between the lines.

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

This sounds like the best solution to me...

What a sucky situation to be put in.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Oh now, that's a good point to make.

Duly added to the repertoire. Thank you!

[mysticknyght.livejournal.com]

a lot depends on whether or not I think the person would melt down again...if I couldn't honestly give the reference, I'd let the machine pick up the phone...

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I just don't know, hon. She's not done the work, as it were, and refuses to.

On that level, I think she's ripe to meltdown again. But then, I'm cynical in this way. :)

[dana3.livejournal.com]

I'm with the "give the minimum answer" crowd.
"Yes, I've known this person X years. No, we've never worked together. She lived with me for Y months, then moved out. Yes, she paid her bills (or don't offer if she didn't)." Answer the questions they ask, don't volunteer anything beyond it, and get on with your life.

Having to avoid the telephone just sucks.

Thank you

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Dana, I've never been comfortable with the concept of friends paying bills in the house - just leads to miscommunication and idiocy. Instead, I swapped her out housekeeping and gardening chores - which works better for me short term. Particularly as I'm such a rotten gardener!

If I get 'caught', I'll give the minimum. Otherwise, I know the number on the caller ID. :)