Do I have to put my personnel manager down as a reference?

[beth_terri]

I'm applying for a new job but don't want to put my old personnel manager down. She was a nasty woman who pretty much hates everyone in my old place of work. So I'd be worried of what sort of reference she would give. I know they aren't allowed to say anything bad, but its what she won't say that's the problem.

There's plenty of other people I could put down, dept supervisors, managers etc. but it asks for my most recent employer and I suppose that has to be the personnel manager? (I worked at Morrisons)

 

[Blah11]

No any manager would do id of thought?

 

[supertabby]

Morrisons is your most recent employer, not an individual manager.

Usually with big companies references go through HR and they'll speak to whoever was your line manager (presumably this woman?). You could just put a direct name and address for another manager instead, there's no reason why not. Ask their permission to put their name (out of courtesy) but be prepared for them to say it's company policy that they pass it onto HR.