Employment References For OCS Package

[comeonfulham]

I am currently completing my OCS application package, I have been out of college for a few years so my recruiter said I had to complete a DD 370 employment reference for every job I held. I have had three jobs, but am worried about one of the references. I quit a job because I learned that my employer was misleading and manipulating clients and employees in an "all-but-illegal" fashion.

So my question is, is there anything I can do about his reference? I don't want to have a single blemish on my application package, but my recruiter hasn't had any answers for me in this respect.

 

[BackOrdered]

"According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it is illegal for an employer to give a negative or false employment references or to refuse to give a reference because of a person's race, religion, disability or age. These ambiguous standards have caused many companies to not provide references. "

Read more: What to Do When You Have a Bad Job Reference? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8748959_do-bad-job-reference.html#ixzz2O6ywl5Sv

In my case, I never had an issue with a civilian employer. But I remember that some retail employers didn't give me reference, good or bad, due to this policy.

 

[delta215]

I am currently completing my OCS application package, I have been out of college for a few years so my recruiter said I had to complete a DD 370 employment reference for every job I held. I have had three jobs, but am worried about one of the references. I quit a job because I learned that my employer was misleading and manipulating clients and employees in an "all-but-illegal" fashion.

So my question is, is there anything I can do about his reference? I don't want to have a single blemish on my application package, but my recruiter hasn't had any answers for me in this respect.

"Every job I held." That isn't correct.

It is my understanding that the references have to cover the last three YEARS, not three jobs. So as long as you have at least three "years worth" of continuity across your DD-370s, you should be okay. Based on what my OR has told me, three years is the minimum. You can augment work history with references from others; I personally have three from my current employer (who I've been with over five years) and a few others from prior professors. Basically look for people who can attest to your character as an individual.

 

[comeonfulham]

I have had three jobs since graduation, which was two years ago. My recruiter said I should get employment references from all of my jobs since graduation, up to a maximum of five.

Delta215, do you mean that if I got more than one employment reference from a positive employer, it would be able to cover the gap left from my negative experience employer? In all honesty I don't think my negative experience employer would even fill one out. He was running a pyramid scheme and I doubt he remembers everyone who has worked for him in the past.

 

[delta215]

I have had three jobs since graduation, which was two years ago. My recruiter said I should get employment references from all of my jobs since graduation, up to a maximum of five.

Not sure what to do in this case. Did your prior employer who was running the scheme get caught or prosecuted? Maybe write a statement about why you quit the job on moral grounds would help. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in...

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Many employers are afraid to fill out DD370's or give negative references for fear of being sued like tiz said, often times I would get one back that said "I can confirm XXX XXX was employed here at one time"

 

[delta215]

Many employers are afraid to fill out DD370's or give negative references for fear of being sued like tiz said, often times I would get one back that said "I can confirm XXX XXX was employed here at one time"

Is this something higher-ups at NRC know about? While I was getting my 370s done, I asked around and it seems like this type of blanket policy is common among big corporations.

 

[mtaylor]

I am currently completing my OCS application package, I have been out of college for a few years so my recruiter said I had to complete a DD 370 employment reference for every job I held. I have had three jobs, but am worried about one of the references. I quit a job because I learned that my employer was misleading and manipulating clients and employees in an "all-but-illegal" fashion.

So my question is, is there anything I can do about his reference? I don't want to have a single blemish on my application package, but my recruiter hasn't had any answers for me in this respect.

Having just completed my packet and had it sent off yesterday, I can tell you that I had as slightly similar experience.
My situation was for a unresponsive and uncooperative employer. My recruiter and processor made numerous attempts over a 6 week period to get my reference back but they would not send it.
When my recruiter told me they couldn't get a hold of the reference, I said I wasn't surprised as the management at that particular business was horrible.
The processor said it was no big deal and it happens fairly often; and he would just make a note in my packet that the employer was uncooperative.

He also attested to the fact that many employers will not write a full reference other than confirming that an employee did indeed work there for a certain amount of time.

This isn't quite the same situation as you are experiencing, but I hope it helps in some way.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Is this something higher-ups at NRC know about? While I was getting my 370s done, I asked around and it seems like this type of blanket policy is common among big corporations.

They do and we have seen ones where the employer simply states they cannot supply the requested data.

 

[comeonfulham]

Thank you everyone for your help, best answers I've gotten anywhere.

 

[Artur]

I am currently completing my OCS application package, I have been out of college for a few years so my recruiter said I had to complete a DD 370 employment reference for every job I held. I have had three jobs, but am worried about one of the references. I quit a job because I learned that my employer was misleading and manipulating clients and employees in an "all-but-illegal" fashion.

So my question is, is there anything I can do about his reference? I don't want to have a single blemish on my application package, but my recruiter hasn't had any answers for me in this respect.

I was in a situation where i requested a reference from a job where i have been only for less than half a year ( didnt like what i was doing and then later switched to another firm), but i had to provide a reference for that. When my former boss got contacted, she said that she didnt know me long enough to provide a reference. The processor and the OR said that it is okay and that instead I just need to provide a personal reference. Hope this helps