Getting a reference letter

[Thomas Merton]

After a two year sabbatical in Cali, I am thankfully returning to the right coast to resume my teaching career in Fairfax Co., Va. I have interviewed and been hired at a great school. When I went to get fingerprinted and an ID tag, fill out paperwork, etc. a few weeks ago, the little clerk told me everything was in order except a reference letter from my last employer which was a charter school in Sacramento. I asked for one before I left. I have left numerous voicemails and emails to no avail. Nothing.

Does anyone know the legal obligation of an employer to provide a reference, good or bad? Any suggestions on what to do from 3000 miles away?

Joseph Heller must be laughing... I've been hired and placed already and have 14 years experience and was voted teacher of the year in 1997 but they still need a reference from an employer of 6 months to make sure I'm OK

CougarJake, forget everything I PM'd you about teaching.

[PapaBear]

I've always heard that they can't really say anything bad about you except maybe for attendance records.

[Tenbatsuzen]

After a two year sabbatical in Cali, I am thankfully returning to the right coast to resume my teaching career in Fairfax Co., Va. I have interviewed and been hired at a great school. When I went to get fingerprinted and an ID tag, fill out paperwork, etc. a few weeks ago, the little clerk told me everything was in order except a reference letter from my last employer which was a charter school in Sacramento. I asked for one before I left. I have left numerous voicemails and emails to no avail. Nothing.

Does anyone know the legal obligation of an employer to provide a reference, good or bad? Any suggestions on what to do from 3000 miles away?

Joseph Heller must be laughing... I've been hired and placed already and have 14 years experience and was voted teacher of the year in 1997 but they still need a reference from an employer of 6 months to make sure I'm OK

CougarJake, forget everything I PM'd you about teaching.

I bolded the biggest problem. The best way to solve this problem is getting someone live on the phone. Voicemails and emails can be disregarded, but being front of mind of someone is the best way.