If you are a displaced employee, and even in severance, is your most recent former manager allowed to be a reference, if requested to do so?
16 replies (most recent on top)
Former manager here.p (retired) WF policy states managers cannot give recommendations however, I gave recommendations to good employees who often were unable (despite my strongest efforts) to get more than a 2% increase despite being rated a “consistently exceeds”. I had multiple instances where they left the company, gained additional experience and a much higher salary, and then I was able to hire them back at that higher, or above, salary. Several times including hiring bonuses. That is not the WF of today though. They have become bargain basement shoppers.
I would decline giving references to poor employees, citing the policy, so I did not harm that person. Only thing the potential employer could get from WF HR was dates of employment.
You can thank any lazy pi--r that’s ever sued anyone for this policy.
WF is not unique in this posture. Tail between their legs because they’re afraid a manager could give a bad reference and then get sued for slander and suppression of livelihood.
@bw+1jrep8hvk Yep. Policy not only predates Charlie, but was around long before the merger, at least on the legacy Wells side.
By the rules, no. No manager is supposed to give any kind of recommendation but I'm sure some mavericks out there still give recommendations.
WF policy is no but there are some managers that will offer to be one and provide their personal information for you to use. If they are contacted through a WF phone or email they are not allowed to respond. WF corp could careless about any of us especially after they pull the trigger on you so letting managers help us with a reference would be uncalled for in their eyes. It's pathetic.
Yet another WTF policy that Wells puts in to suppress their employees. I can’t get out of this shithole soon enough. Can’t wait for my second round interview next week with another company.
The cool thing about this new company is they are 100 years old and Fortune 500, yet their page on this site only has a few year old comments that shows people don’t have much to complain about there. That to me is a great sign.
No dice—WF’s rule is no external refs, even if you’re displaced or on severance. Internal only, been that way since the Wachovia days (@bw
+1jrep8hvk), all to dodge lawsuits or keep their claws in us. Managers risk a slap if they try (@bp
+1jrep8hvk), and some might even trash you on the sly (@af
+1jrep8hvk). Psych safety? Ha—this is Wells Fargo’s fear game on repeat. No speaking up, no helping out, just control and silence.
Ask your manager if you’ve got a good vibe—they might bend the rules quiet-like (@a5
+1jrep8hvk). But don’t count on it; Charlie’s got ‘em locked down, treating us like disposable cogs (@af
+1jrep8hvk). Grab refs from peers or clients instead—WF doesn’t own those. Good luck navigating this crapshow.
There is one workaround to this (it is inferior). Have your manager and colleagues endorse your skills on Linked In. I see more and more people giving each other congratulations notices on Linked In when they get a new position. All of this helps improve your Linked In profile. Your resume cover letter can reference what so-and-so said about you on Linked In. Once you are laid off, it is amazing how quickly your former managers and colleagues fade away.
This policy of not giving out references pre-dates Charlie's tenure. It was the same at Wachovia and Wells Fargo when they merged. Only confirmation of employment is allowed. And yes, this is to prevent lawsuits.
No, the manager is at risk of they get caught. Direct policy violation.
Ha ha ha if you’re good with your manager, you’re good with a referral so you’re all good!
Ask your manager. What is WF going to do about it? Sue you out of your meager savings? Send you to prison? Sacrifice your first born? It's all about some sick control issues and protecting themselves and profits.
Unfortunately Charlie does not approve of managers or anyone in Wells Fargo putting a reference on any current and or past employee... He actually made a policy around it.
Keep in mind that Charlie doesn't view you as a human you're an expendable object that he can replace by anyone anywhere at any time and since you were not human to him why should he care about prospering your career
Also be careful managers at Wells Fargo who is willing to give you a reference normally are not willing to do so in writing and if they are called over the phone they will lie through their teeth and bash you about how worthless of an employee you are.
The company's direction is no, they cannot (to external companies anyway; within WF is fine). However, many managers will anyway. Would recommend just asking your manager.
Nope. Sorry mate.