Forums
Decline writing a college recommendation?
General Forum
Decline writing a college recommendation?
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
I have been requested by a previous direct report (non-exempt level) to write a recommendation for graduate school. This employee was not great and I laid her off in the first round of RIFs. I would b
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53Discussion:DiscussionId36140
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Decline writing a college recommendation?
|
Decline writing a college recommendation?
posted at 9/21/2009 7:22 AM EDT
|
Posts: 42
First: 7/13/2005 Last: 8/5/2011 |
I have been requested by a previous direct report (non-exempt level) to write a recommendation for graduate school. This employee was not great and I laid her off in the first round of RIFs. I would be comfortable letting her know that I would prefer not to write something but she is still very friendly with the gossip mill, which actually includes senior managers. How would you handle this? Thanks for input. |
|
|
Decline writing a college recommendation?
posted at 9/21/2009 7:59 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
You could write the recommendation keeping in mind how and what you say is read carefully by admissions boards. The "damning with faint praise" is noted. You could say that she got along well with others and performed her job with only moderate direction, for example.
So long as it's all factual, you should be OK. If she's smart, she'll pick up on the minimalist recommendation and won't submit it. If she isn't, then she submits it with her application and its up to the admissions board to decide. |
|
|
Decline writing a college recommendation?
posted at 9/21/2009 9:24 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 2442
First: 2/12/2000 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Nork's take is accurate but I have a more lenient view on this one. Just because she was just average at work does necessarily translate into her not being a good graduate student. After all don't we all know a lot of excellent students that were just average at work. And so going back and learning more just might make her a better employee. So.......... what is the real risk here? |
|
|
Decline writing a college recommendation?
posted at 9/21/2009 10:31 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
Depends on how long ago the RIF was and if performance was the reason behind it. I could see potential problems along the lines of "they said i was laid off because of performance but here's a letter from my boss saying I was great!" |
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Decline writing a college recommendation?
