This thread is not about a PERSONAL reference, rather one just to confirm the dates of employment. These are different things and whilst a company is perfectly within their rights not to give you a personal reference, they cannot withold information about whether you worked there or not. I believe this is due to some new form of anti-terror law. (It seems everything is nowadays...)

Bond breaking etc. are really not very relevant to this discussion.

Exactly, Say Again s l o wl y, & this is the point that I am trying to make. For what other differences of opinion can a company such as Channex or Emerald decide to withold confirmation of your whereabouts whilst you were with them? It's as low & as nasty as a company can possibly sink, in my eyes.

Blue Eagle, I'm not going to go into detail here, other threads have covered Jet2/Channex to death, but what if it was the employer who was in breach of contract & that's why I didn't fulfill my contractual obligation? I don't punish them but they have every right to attempt to damage a former employee?

The Potter
 

Unfortunately that time worn phrase, "two wrongs don't make a right" comes to mind! If the company broke their contractual agreement with you then you have recourse to the law but you breaking your contract with them isn't the answer I'm afraid. They are the employer and they will always hold the upper hand, regardless of who is right and who is wrong and if you sue them and win you will be known as a trouble maker, it really is a no-win situation.

One company I worked for didn't ask for a reference as such but did send a proforma to my current employer asking dates of joining, positions held, hours flown and any accidents, incidents or disciplinary action taken, I don't see why any company should be able to withold this sort of information as they were not asked to comment on me as a person.
Just my 2cents worth, having been through the whole bonding and bank guarantee thing!