I work with a small law firm been here for two years and in my time here I have seen them really burn former employees when it comes to recommendations or references when better opportunities come along for them. They refuse to recommend them for future opportunities because they “didn’t like them” despite whatever contributions and good they did while working here. It’s hilarious they burn all these previous employees and never once consider the fact that they are the issue and not the employees.
This job was a stepping stone for me to gain experience and I knew I had no intentions of staying longer than 2 years but I still worked hard every day. I have been very transparent with my attorney/boss regarding my plans to return to school. Asked for a recommendation for my school applications and she did it no problem, “anything I can do to help”. She wrote a glowing recommendation highlighting all the hard work I’ve done and all the growth Ive had in this role. Months later, there was a disagreement between us and I was later accused of using her for that recommendation and being fake to receive one from her. I was called disrespectful, hostile, and passive aggressive because I reacted to her berating me over a task I was in the process of completing. That was a slap in the face because I thought our relationship was better than that and I put in a lot of hard work daily just to be accused of “faking it” after all this time.
Fast forward to present and I have this great job opportunity presented to me (making 2x more and in my career field) and listed this boss as a reference. She knows I am leaving and will be moving out of state trying to secure new employment. I provided a heads up that she would be contacted in regards to this and she said she would look out for the recruiter to contact her. I was told by my recruiter that an email was sent directly to the attorney over a week ago asking to set up a time to speak about me and they have received radio silence. Now this attorney has not mentioned anything to me and is usually very responsive to all emails. I am thinking they do not want to provide reference to prevent me from getting this opportunity. It is very hurtful to be treated this way when you have given your all to a job just to be slapped in the face. I thought being transparent would be beneficial for everyone involved but apparently not. They have been aware of my plans for months and I have also been training my replacement. This environment is very toxic and I cannot wait to be free. First “professional” job out of college and I am severely underpaid compared to everyone else in the office. At this point I am contemplating even turning in a 2 week notice because of how my boss is trying to prevent me from securing a new job. I’ve felt slighted ever since starting here.