While many companies may have policies that dictate only title, dates of employment and eligibility for rehire can be discussed, people do break the rules everyday and a give bad reference. What can former employers disclose? Former employers can give you a bad reference despite company policies. Due to human nature, providing a job reference may be an emotional call for some. How about the boss with whom you had philosophical differences, or the supervisor who sexually harassed you? Maybe a boss was just jealous of you and gave you a bad reference? Half of our clients do receive a bad reference, despite the strict policies in place.