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Saturday, April 1st, 2023
I'm trying to get registered to take my PS exam but one of my past employers is refusing to send in his verification of my 8 years working with him as a survey tech. I really don't want to escalate the situation but what recourse do I have?
Not knowing which state you are referring to, I can only offer how we dealt with this in CA a couple of times. When the applicant explained to us that his former employer refused to complete the form because he left on bad terms, I called the employer to ask. The employer told me he was unhappy the person left to work for a competitor. I asked if he had any issues with the person's work while there and he said no, he didn't want the person to leave. I then explained that completing the reference form has nothing to do with the feelings about why the person left, only that he was being asked to validate the person's work experience while employed there. And if he was happy with the experience, why would he wish to prohibit this person from furthering their career towards potentially obtaining a license. The employer agreed and said would complete the reference form. Don't know if this will help but its worth a try.
I always made it a point to let someone know that I was going to use them for a reference. And also, I wouldn't have used anyone who I'd had bad dealings with, or left on bad terms.
I once received a reference form for a PE I somewhat knew who'd decided that he was going to try for his LS. He never told me that he was going to use me as a reference, and in fact, I'd never seen him do any survey work, and couldn't vouch for his "experience". I let him know that I wasn't sending it back in. I also let the Board know this, since he had the form with my name on it, and I really didn't trust him.
This is good advice.
Another tactic that might work is to ask a mutual friend, who still works there, to speak to the reference on your behalf. Especially if they are another PLS. A reminder about their professional responsibilities, from a neutral source, can work wonders on a stubborn surveyor.
Well that situation may have ended well but I asked for a reference via email from my former employer, who was the principle of the small firm that I felt like I had left on good terms, and he promised to do so (in writing via an email). So I went by to pick up other references from some of his PLS employees (they were all former coworkers who were great to deal with & taught me a lot too). Yet when I arrived at that time he said he was too busy to fill out a 1 page form (despite having over a week to do so and saying it would be ready that week). I later followed up with a voicemail to remind him. At this point it's been close to 10 weeks since I asked and yet I still have not received word back from him nor has the board. thankfully I have worked with many surveyors over the years in various capacities who were all happy to help so I was able to meet the minimum requirement of the board.
But this just goes to show that bitterness exists even if you, the former employee, felt like you left on good terms. Before I left they basically were everything short of begging for me to stay & even dropped hints when I had to stop by to grab those other references. While employed there for many years I did everything I could to help as an employee (even stuff as simple as janitorial tasks each week or fixing leaking plumbing). Also would cite or even enact new policies to improve methods & processes to simplify workflows. I genuinely believe that some employers just resent an individual that would choose to further their career while not doing it for the former employer's benefit
I always made it a point to let someone know that I was going to use them for a reference. And also, I wouldn't have used anyone who I'd had bad dealings with, or left on bad terms.
Don't we need to distinguish between documenting experience and serving as a reference with an opinion of performance?
You are correct. I am not looking for a work reference. Washington State requires work experience and education verification before you can sit for the exam. The problem in my case is that a big portion of the time I need just happens to be with this employer who also happens to be my ex-father in law.
@rover83 it is very reasonable advice. The problem I face is that it happens to be my ex-father in law so it complicates the situation.
@ncsudirtman Yeah, sad to hear this. It really is too bad when someone can't get past petty things like that. I know if you were an applicant in CA, I'd call the reference for you.
@bill93 That's a good point Bill. In CA, that is one and the same on the reference form. But in some other jurisdictions, that may be separate. NCEES Record is similar to what you have stated.
I wrote all the letters for my work experience and then hand delivered them to my former employers so it was done and all they had to do was sign it. Of course I wrote a truthful account of what my work experience was and it was done in about 5 seconds at both places I needed to go. This method also makes it easy on a busy business owner that doesn’t have time to write out this letter. I had envelopes in hand and South Carolina required the person verifying the work experience to sign across the flap of a sealed envelope... done and done.
As an employer if you ditched me and didn’t work out a notice then I would sit on your letter for a good long while, otherwise you better use the method I described above.
This is a bit mercenary--but are you still paying spousal or child support? "I may be able to make more money which will make it easier to meet my obligations." Would that sway your ex-wife to talk to her father on your behalf? Are there any amounts outstanding?
In a convergent way, if you have a former employer that is holding a grudge, at the very least, you could provide your proof of employment in the form of redacted w-2s/4s especially if it was for multiple years. If you were working in surveying for 8 years and they hadn't fired you, by not supporting your skills/growth, by keeping you employed seems like they are the fool and seriously undermining their own existence when they could be positing your value and help you to succeed.
Good luck!
I agree. But this wouldn't be the only dysfunctional relationships that I've seen. You kept the guy for 8 years, then he quit, you didn't fire him.
I think that a lot of employers are like jilted lovers, and can't get over the breakup.
It appears to me that the reasoning for not providing the requested information is petty and personal. AND CERTAINLY NOT PROFESSIONAL. Yes, I yelled that out loud. If you have exhausted all remedies, contact the BOR and explain the situation to them. Perhaps a letter from them will get his attention.
