As the title says really, i've been asked if i'd provide a reference, which i'm willing to do as former employer really took advantage of this guy for several years and then sacked him the day after he finds out his wife was pregnant.

He was a good guy, hard working, gave it 110%, but used to get a lot of hassle/blame he did not deserve, mostly because of his age and inexperience in dealing with work politics..

I'm wondering what sort of reference is this, obviously it can't be personal, but how much can I say about the way I feel he was treated?

If you are still working for this employer, then you can't really provide a reference in any capacity representing that employer. The employers if asked will just confirm in a reference that he worked there. The employers for legal reasons are very unlikely to say anything negative. Most references just confirm employment dates and last role.

All you can do is a personal reference from your home address, stating that you worked with Mr X between x date and y date, that you found him to be of good character and dedicated in performing as a teammate with his colleagues.

As the title says really, i've been asked if i'd provide a reference, which i'm willing to do as former employer really took advantage of this guy for several years and then sacked him the day after he finds out his wife was pregnant.

He was a good guy, hard working, gave it 110%, but used to get a lot of hassle/blame he did not deserve, mostly because of his age and inexperience in dealing with work politics..

 

I'm wondering what sort of reference is this, obviously it can't be personal, but how much can I say about the way I feel he was treated?

You can't really say anything about the way he was treated. That isn't what a reference is about.

You can infer it, keeping to an entirely factual reference, by stressing all the good qualities you saw (that he might have been accused of not having), and stressing that you never saw any of the bad qualities (that he may have been accused of), while noting how closely you worked with him, and over what period.......

I don't work for them, they screwed me over last year, but i've moved on.

This is a reference for his employment tribunal though, not a standard employment reference.

Is you're friend being legally/trade union represented at his Tribunal?

If so I'd have thought they would give your friend some idea of why the reference might be useful and the type of content (but NOT what it should say specifically, that's for you to decide). Whatever its purpose is, keep it relevant, true, and not misleading.

They appear to just require a character ref along the lines of ....

"I have known Mr X for x years whilst working for .

During this time I found Mr X to be honest, conscientious, amenable (amend as req) in our dealings, with no evidence of any unexpected traits."

I was with you right up to this point....

"... with no evidence of any unexpected traits."

I have no idea what it means in a reference!

To Whom It May Concern

I am happy to confirm that I have known XXX for a period of XX years in the capacity of a work colleague. During this time I held the position of XXX at XXX and XXX was employed as XXX

During the time that I worked with XXX I found him to be scrupulously honest, hardworking and diligent and can say that in my dealings with him I never believed XXX to be anything other than a competent and trusted colleague, willing to help others and who always gave of his best in the interests of the business

I have no hesitation in confirming his character or ability in this instance and would happily do the same should it be required for any other purpose

Yours faithfully

XXX

Naturally and as suggested above you may wish to elaborate as necessary to include any particular talents or allude to certain characteristics which might help in the case, but this should not read like a list which rebuts everything that the employer might say about him!

I haven't really come across people providing references for the Employment Tribunal.

It is a little bit odd - as much of what you might say in a reference about Mr X being an honest person is not usually relevant to whether the employer had a fair reason for dismissing him!

I would keep the reference concise and stick to facts of which you have personal knowledge. Sidewinder's example looks great.

I would steer clear of talking about the reasons for dismissal unless you have close personal knowledge of the same. If the employee wants you to provide evidence of the circumstances surrounding his dismissal he would need to call you as a witness.