Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Mar 12th 2016, 3:12 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 71
Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Hi all
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
Mar 12th 2016, 4:35 pm
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
There is no way at all to compel them to provide anything other than what is mandated by law, a Record of Employment (government form) and T4.
Mar 12th 2016, 10:04 pm
#3
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Hi all
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
Mar 13th 2016, 1:15 am
#4
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Joined: Dec 2012
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,263
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Whether your strategies work or not, I'd suggest compiling evidence (written is obviously best: emails, letters) that you made every effort that you possibly could to contact them ("read receipt" on emails; copies of emails; recorded mail etc.). No idea if for the application you are doing this will help, but I think you should compile the evidence anyway.
S
S
Mar 13th 2016, 2:03 pm
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Hi all
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
I live in the US but am posting this in the Canada forum in the hope that someone might be able to advise. I was transferred to the US from Canada a couple of years ago by my current employer, who is now sponsoring me for a green card. Most of the process is complete, but for my I-140 I need a letter of reference from my original Canadian employer who I first worked for when moving over from the UK.
They are deliberately avoiding my phone calls and ignoring my emails requesting for a letter. I knew from the beginning of the process that I might have a problem with them given that they were unhappy when I chose to leave. All the letter needs is my start and finish dates as well as a list of my responsibilities-it's not even a reference letter.
It's a small business without a proper HR department and I've tried contacting the owner on several occasions, without success. Unfortunately there are no ex-employees that I know who might be able to help with a letter, as i know that this is sometimes acceptable.
Does anyone know if there is any way that I can compel them to provide such a letter, or whether there are any trade bodies in Canada that can require them to do so?
Mar 13th 2016, 2:54 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 71
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Thanks all for your responses. The job was in Ontario by the way. I'm in Canada for a couple of days at the moment and may pop in and see the employer and just try to persuade them to provide the letter. I'm hoping that they will find it more difficult to refuse if I'm actually there.
Mar 13th 2016, 3:01 pm
#7
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 7,263
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Lol yeh the Canadian way is to say "we will look into that for you straight away" then when u leave they will forget about it
Good luck tho anyhow. Best to at least try IMO
Good luck tho anyhow. Best to at least try IMO
Mar 13th 2016, 5:09 pm
#8
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Joined: Dec 2012
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,263
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Hi good luck!
Please update as to how you get on if you can!
S
Please update as to how you get on if you can!
S
Mar 13th 2016, 5:46 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,263
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Hi good luck!
Please update as to how you get on if you can!
S
Please update as to how you get on if you can!
S
Mar 13th 2016, 7:43 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Thanks all for your responses. The job was in Ontario by the way. I'm in Canada for a couple of days at the moment and may pop in and see the employer and just try to persuade them to provide the letter. I'm hoping that they will find it more difficult to refuse if I'm actually there.
Mar 13th 2016, 7:53 pm
#11
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Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
There does not seem to be similar provision in the Ontario Employment Standard laws, unfortunately for the OP
.
Mar 14th 2016, 2:07 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 116
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Whether your strategies work or not, I'd suggest compiling evidence (written is obviously best: emails, letters) that you made every effort that you possibly could to contact them ("read receipt" on emails; copies of emails; recorded mail etc.). No idea if for the application you are doing this will help, but I think you should compile the evidence anyway.
S
S
Send a recorded letter, kept the proof, included copies of my multiple emails and read receipts and I even copied my Mobile Phone Bill showing repeated calls to the Company concerned.
I wrote a letter supporting my application and referenced my challenges in getting the reference attaching all my proof and had no issues, best of luck.
Regards
ScottyB
Mar 14th 2016, 3:44 pm
#13
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 71
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
Well, I left a voicemail today and I did get an email back from a staff member there shortly afterwards. He advised the owner is dealing with my letter, is off until Monday next week and that he'll chase him up to respond to me at that point. Feels like a fob-off to me, but I'll wait until then and see what transpires. At least they are now responding anyway!
Mar 14th 2016, 5:12 pm
#14
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Joined: Dec 2012
Location: British Columbia
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Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
I'd ensure you include that email in the compilation that I suggested that you do.
S
S
Mar 16th 2016, 9:09 pm
#15
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 71
Re: Former Employer won't provide letter of experience
An update as promised - my former employer emailed me out of the blue this morning, asked me a couple of questions about the immigration lawyer, and then provided the letter that I asked for! Obviously I'm very happy. Thanks to those of you that replied.