References may not be all they seem
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381815)
Rockingham, Australia
June 21, 2025 7:56pm CST
While Vince was working at a school, he employed a gardener largely on the strength of a reference from a lady he knew. Among other things, she had said he had the best garden in the town. He turned out to be lazy and unmotivated.
When Vince saw the lady some time later, he quizzed her about the reference. Her excuse was that they needed to get rid of him somehow. And he did have the best garden in town but it was his wife who did all the gardening.
The experience was another reminder to Vince to be very careful about believing what’s in a reference. He was later to employ similar tactics when trying to move on an unsatisfactory employee. Nowadays, it’s more likely that a potential employer will phone for an reference.
15 people like this
16 responses
@Ineeddentures (33873)
•
22 Jun
Aye.
Very funny indeed.
I must admit that I did laugh a lot.
I didn't see that coming
Not at all.
It's like comedy sketch stuff, isn't it?
His wife did all the gardening
4 people like this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun
@Ineeddentures Maybe you're too honest! 
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (33873)
•
22 Jun
@JudyEv
I wish I had thought of giving someone a glowing reference so I could have got rid of them
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
22 Jun
@JudyEv
The lady who referred this person tried to be too shrewd.
However, she lost her image as a reliable person.
Being clever might look like an achievement to some but well, one does loses on certain things.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
22 Jun
It is often somewhat difficult to confirm about the validity of how good a person who has been referred.
Many Employers in any case have such a tight recruiting system with multiple rounds that even well competent people but who lack something or the other are rejected.
Yet there are some pass throughs via referrals.
I heard of a case where a person joined as a Technical person via referral but was later found lacking on Technical (IT) skills and was moved to a managerial position.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
22 Jun
@JudyEv
At times, that can be tricky if the previous employer has a grudge with the employee.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68210)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
22 Jun
Thats a lesson that people have to learn over and over in their lives it seems. I know I have had to.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jun
It's easy to be taken in, especially by somebody you know.
@thislittlepennyearns (68210)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
22 Jun
@JudyEv Yes. It sure is..
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
23 Jun
Most places will not give a bad reference for fear of being sued.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun
Goodness! I hadn't heard of that but it's on the cards I'm sure.
@allknowing (153544)
• India
22 Jun
How can she cheat your husand - her aim being to get rid of that man. Have yet to meet someone like this one.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jun
That was an easy way for her to fire him
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
22 Jun
And some people use phony references on their resumes.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
22 Jun
Sometimes, reference is not that trustworthy.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
22 Jun
Hmm, kind of a misdirected reference.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
22 Jun
References are only as good as the person giving them.
1 person likes this
