Charged for Letter of Employment

[Toff]

I've been working for a medical specialist over the past year and have recently left the position. I brought up to him that I needed a letter of employment for my application process and he said that's he's never heard anything about this and that he would have to contact his lawyer and see if it was legitimate. He said that if he did go ahead and write the letter that there would be a fee for it (even thoough I already had the letter written and all he needed to do was to sign it). He's basically one of those doctors that will squeeze money out of everything but my question is: are employers allowed to do this?

Thanks.

[jes_ON]

wow, that is low.  Check with your community legal clinic.

[missmymexi]

i am assuming this is in Canada, and if so as a human resources manager, I can tell you no that is not legal. If you cannot get a letter from him then go to Revenue Canada, as an employer he would need to submit a ROE (record of employment) when you left the position, they will send this to you free of charge.

And report this guy to labour relations, that is just dispicable !

[ganesh123]

When I have talked with the CIC helpline associate, he mentioned that, getting employee letter is our right as per Ontario Labour rules.  If we have any problems in getting the letter, we may call to Ontario Labour Ministry at the number 1800 531 5551 and lodge a complaint against the employer on his rejection for giving the letter for the service we worked.

[missmymexi]

Thats absolutely true and every province has its own labour board that will take your complaint, this employer certainly needs to be reported.

[Toff]

Thanks everyone!

The employment ended in awkward terms and I tried to be civil about it but I think he's still trying to get a power trip out of it. -.-

[Red and Black]

Hmm ... how much is he charging? Question is that would you want CIC to talk to a pissed ex-employer (even more pissed if you have filed a complaint against him)?

Regardless, charging money for an employment letter is just sad and pathetic!

[Toff]

He says he needs to speak to his lawyers to make sure that what I'm asking for and the purpose of it  is a legitimate thing so he hasn't told me how much it would be  (if he decides to charge a fee for it). He also subtly implied that if I requested the letter , I would probably see it at the end of the year.  You'd think  I was dealing with a spiteful child instead of a  certified physician.   

[lilyluvx]

Even if your employer is pissed, it doesnt mean your work exp is invalid.

Try to get a paper trail of him not respecting your legal rights and trying to charge you for an employment letter and submit it with your application if needed. Explain to the VO that if he calls your ex-employer, your ex-employer may intentionally provide inaccurate/untrue information that is against you. I'm sure the VO will understand. A lot of employement don't end well and it is not always the employees' fault.

[jes_ON]

I agree with lilyluvx - I hope you're getting this in writing, via email, etc.  You could then get your Record of Employment and submit that, along with your explanation....

The question I have is - how much of your qualifying employment does this count for?  If it is 100% of your qualifying employment, you will have trouble without a strong letter of reference (note - it is NOT a recommendation, but a statement of the facts/details of your employment.(

I'm sure you've already tried this, but have you given him the document checklist, and contact info for CIC?  Can't imagine why he wouldn't just call CIC and trust that info - unless his "need" for a lawyer is just stonewalling. 

[Toff]

This job accounts for about 80% of my experience as I have a part time job as an animal health tech to supplement my income.

He doesn't deal with this kind of stuff by email (he's paranoid about it apparently) so this has mostly been in person and by phone. But I've sent to him a letter by mail as well as the application guideline which clearly lists the requirements. Hopefully he'll send me the letter of employment or a letter requesting money.  I'm afraid that he'll just not reply if he refuses to do the letter so I've written on the request that if I do not recieve a response in a month  (which gives him ample time) that I will submit the request with the application and consider it as him refusing to write the letter of employment. Do you think that this will be a good explanation for them when they consider my application? I will of course write a letter explaining the whole situation as well and I've saved up all my paystubs and the letter offering me a position in his private practice which delineates all of my duties.