Writing a reference...
 

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[Closed] Writing a reference and I could do with some help.

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I have to write something about a colleague. A recommendation of sorts. He's a good laugh but I find this kind of thing quite cringy and I'm not great at 'creative' writing.
Anybody feel like making a few suggestions?
It needs to be clean and printable. Over elaborate fawning would be ideal. I want to lay it on thickly about how good he is at his job, how reliable and dependable he is, how conscientious he is (he's not any of those by a long way). That kind of thing.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 11:40 am
 kcal
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I think that sort of reference that you intend may well backfire.
Can you emphasise the things he *is* good at (even if they are not work-specific) so that the rest, by omission, stand out?

Thankfully I have never had to have a reference written expect on being made redundant - once - when it was really purely attendance good, all the bumph from HR, and from my boss, he asked me what he should write !!

[ hi monksie ]


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 11:52 am
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Hiya Callum
It's a comedy type thing. Nothing serious. No repercussions other than he'll probably get me in a headlock in the bike shed on the way home or let my tyres down.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 11:54 am
 kcal
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ah, as you were then!


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 11:56 am
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[i]Anybody that can get 'X' to work for them will be doing very well indeed. I've never managed to get a days work out of him.
[/i]
or something along those lines


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 11:59 am
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I need to lay it on thick about how good he is (even though he's not).


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:15 pm
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I need to lay it on thick about how good he is (even though he's not).

So compliment him on every thing he's bad at...
[i]
X's punctuality & attendance is exemplary, as is his ability to anticipate the needs of customers, colleagues and management.

He consistently delivers on the goals that are set for him and will not stop until the job is done to his satisfaction. No job is too small, or too big for X - he can depended on to get the task completed.

Overall, X is an asset to our organisation and I can recommend him for XYZ [/i]

Although it sounds like an HR case waiting happen...


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:25 pm
 br
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I worked with X at Y for Z years.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:28 pm
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That's the kind of thing "So compliment him on every thing he's bad at..." and please be assured, no HR trouble will occur. It's a team laugh thing.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:31 pm
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One person's laugh can be another's evidence at an employment tribunal.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:47 pm
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You might find some inspiration here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Rune#Rune.27s_accomplishments


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:49 pm
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"One person's laugh can be another's evidence at an employment tribunal. "

Thanks for the warning but it's really not going to be an issue. It's a team, comedy type of event. Honestly. It's fine.

Thank you Cranberry. My creative juices are flowing now 🙂


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 12:58 pm
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How about…

Who?

or maybe…

He satisfies my needs in every way

Rachel


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 1:03 pm
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"He satisfies my needs in every way" is definitley going in there 🙂
Thank you very much.


 
Posted : 18/02/2016 1:07 pm

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