Lied about reference policy?

[lilybart79]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

I am currently looking for a job. A prospective employer contacted one of my references (an old co-worker) who referred him to my old boss. My old boss said it was against company policy to give references.

This isn't true because I had other references from other departments. I also know my old co-worker feels that she will be punished if she gives me a reference. I know they are under no legal obligation to give a reference and shouldn't give a bad reference, but can they lie and say it's against company policy to keep other employees from giving references?

 

[ecmst12]

They can indeed. No law prevents it.

 

[cbg]

FYI it is not quite true that they "shouldn't give a bad reference". There is nothing illegal about a bad reference, if that would be a truthful reference. The law only prohibits FALSE information being given out. The law does not say and never has said that a truthful, but negative, reference is prohibited.