Request to an employer for a reference letter

Published byDocMuse

A courteous, practical request to a current or former employer in Poland for a reference: the position and period worked, what it is needed for and what is worth highlighting. In Poland a reference is voluntary — only the certificate of employment is compulsory — so the letter makes agreeing easy by suggesting specific achievements and a date.

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Common questions

Does a Polish employer have to write a reference?

No. The Labour Code requires a certificate of employment, but a reference is voluntary and the employer may decline. So the request should be polite and specific: it is easier to write one when the achievements and tasks worth describing are suggested.

How does a reference differ from a certificate of employment?

The certificate of employment is a formal document with fixed content: period of employment, position, how the contract ended, leave — with no assessment. A reference is the employer's opinion of the employee, their skills and attitude. The certificate is always owed; a reference only when the employer chooses to give one.

When is the best time to ask for a reference?

Before leaving or shortly after, while managers still remember the work and achievements well. A reference can be general or written for a particular job or course — in that case say what it is for, so the employer can stress the skills that matter.