Has anyone else asked (former) co workers for letters of recommendation only to be told that there’s a GM HR policy that says they can’t?? Can anyone elaborate on this ‘rule’??
It’s incredible to me that GM will lay off thousands of people and then further hurt their chances at finding a job by not allowing this...
No one cares. NO ONE CARES, which is why GM people give letters or recommendations and endorsements. They don't believe in your policy enough to put their own jobs on the line.
Good luck on your wild goose chase HR.
@XDyH7Uy-4qxk GM policy also states we should not be on this site. But guess what? We are- because there’s no visibility. Just like letters of recommendation. There’s no way HR would ever find out.
From the rumors I heard. The Canadian packages contained a simple reference letter on GM letterhead. Start of work date, end of work date and that's it.
You definitely can't provide a reference or recommendation to former GM workers, as per GM internal policy. The only way around this is to get something from GM Legal, you put in the request on your release day I think, and is not guaranteed to be provided.
The training on the matter is very clear, you can't even +1 someone on LinkedIn. I've given recommendations before for people, but it was for the time before I was at GM, and I did not disclose that I was currently working at GM, and made it very clear that my recommendation was based off the time I worked with them not based off my current position.
After everything that just happened, are you really sure you'd like to draw attention to yourself? Seems pretty dumb to me...
Everyone please realize there is a difference between a reference and a letter of recommendation. For the latter, it's best to ask people you worked with who are no longer with GM.
It is not possible for GM to punish anyone for this. I’ve recommended coworkers for other positions. GM won’t find out about it. Why would the person you’re recommending ever tell GM? Why would the company you’re recommending them to ever tell GM? They won’t find out- and even if they do, you can just say you didn’t know and worst that happens is a slap on the wrist.
There are legit ways around this. Unfortunately I can't post the details of how this is done, but just know that it can be done with some creativity. It has been invaluable as a tool in the back pocket over the many years.
Can a former team member that was also laid off be used as a reference?
@XDyH7Uy-1zpn - correct....yes I know for sure this applies to LinkedIn as I was taking that online required training the same day i was walked out...smh
It is in the GM policy to not recommend. it even extends to social media, like LinkedIn recommendations. My former company has the same policy in their handbook. .lt s---s this is your only job ever and all your connections are still at GM.
Yeah that was something that is embedded in GM. They do not allow recommendations at all -- and this was something I asked for 3 years ago. It's a policy that GM has. I think it's weird and damaging to the company and the people who currently work there and to those who don't work there anymore also.
Employees were reminded that they are not to act as references for former co-workers in a FAQ sent to salaried people just before the VSP close date. I believe it is in the Employee Handbook, and/or in one of the online training we are required to take yearly. I believe the rationale is that they don’t want employees acting as reps for GM. Rather, the former employee should get a referral from the company. I recall reading this a few years ago too so it wasn’t made up for this event.
I agree, it’s troubling, because actual, former co-workers know our skills the best.
No I’m 100% sure that’s not it. They were told to ask HR before they sent it and HR told them they could write a personal one but not a professional one. I don’t get it....u wish I could look the policy up
It is common in layoffs that the people who are laid off are not able to get a reference from their supervisor because companies are afraid of lawsuits. I have however never heard that they can stop a co-worker from giving someone a reference. Sounds like a case of your co-workers just not wanting to be reference for you for whatever reason. Either they don't want to be a reference or are just being a jerk.