I been lucky enough to secure a new job, something i really want to do, sailed through the 2 interviews and got the job offer. My only problem now is references. My current employer might give me a bad reference because just before i resigned i was off for 4 weeks with stress, im scared they will disclose this in my reference, it will be a verbal telephone reference. Can they disclose the reason for my sickness? If my new employer decides to terminate my contract because of a bad reference do I have any legal standings on my old employer if they disclose absence reasons? Is it likely that a certified absence will lose me this new job? Thoughts please.