Daniel_

In the UK, you cannot say something that might damage a prior employee's chances of getting employment, as it is detrimental to their human right to seek work.

Therefore, as a matter of policy, many companies in my direct experience will state "Such and such worked for X Corp from A to B, was employed as a Whelk Grader (Second Class) for the entire time of their employment".

If asked for a character reference of an employee who was very poor, I have heard the HR manager of a former company (now defunct) say: "Are you aware that it infringes human rights law to give a bad reference?" and then hang up.

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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