Recommendation Letters: Is It Advisable To Ask For One From Your Current Boss?

By Tabitha Makumi,
Mathew Kiptoo writes in a recent email that he is in a dilemma and doesn’t know the way forward. Chances are high that you’ve found yourself in such a quagmire too.

He writes, “Would I be jeopardizing my chances with my employer if I asked him for a recommendation letter for a prospective job opening? He goes on to add that, “I can confidently say I have a good relationship with him but still, is asking for a recommendation letter from him a good idea?”

In deed what would you do if you were in a similar situation? Would you go ahead and ask him/her for one with a ‘come what may’ attitude?

Speaking to Carolyn Nyambura a HR Officer with Cimbria East Africa Limited, she says that asking for a recommendation letter from your current boss may not work in your favour after all. “You will be giving him/her a hint that you are planning to leave the company very soon and no boss wants to hear that,”

She recommends that, “If you’ve been asked to show up with the same during an interview, you can explain why it would be risky to confront your boss for one.” She says that most HR practitioners are very understanding in such cases.

On the other hand, Paul Oduk a HR consultant with Rose Avenue Consulting advices that, “If you really have to go to your current boss for a recommendation letter then you have to be very smart about it. You can for example say you are applying for a MBA course where you need a working experience recommendation letter or even a scholarship opportunity where his ‘say’ would be of great help to you.”

A similar question was posted on IHRM LinkedIn page and Andrew Masese a HR Manager at Butali Sugar Mills Limited offered advice to employers.

He writes, “It is purely optional and it will depend on your judgment and the interest an employee is pursuing (s). He could be pursuing a scholarship, grant, loan etc

As an employee, do you think it’s still advisable to ask for a recommendation letter from your current boss?

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