There is nothing he can do. All the advice given to employers who are asked for a reference when they were dissatisfied with the former employee is to do just that... refuse to give a reference.

The only action that can be taken against former employers is when they give a reference that is untrue, misleading or otherwise false.

I would suggest your friend attends any interviews and puts the refusal down to a personality clash and hopes the new employer accepts that explanation.

If you leave a job on bad terms, there really isn't much you can do. It doesn't matter whether your friend or his boss was in the wrong, but if he won't give him a reference, its unfortunate but it happens. He should probably use references from past jobs that will put him in a good light, or from other professionals that he knows personally but has never worked for.

Legally, they have to give details about emloyment like term and etc. if asked. Also, legally I beleive you have ther giht to report to certain authorities if you beleive your former employers has released any misleading or harmful information about you. Try and get a reference from you or a pastor or another past employer f possible

To give a bad reference can leave the employer open to litigation.

To give NO reference is still the prerogative of a disgruntled employer.

Sorry, but there is no compulsion to supply a reference, BUT an "Employment History Record" or anything similar called can be requested, but will ultimately be a bit wishy-washy...

Something like:

Attendance- Satisfactory

Performance- Satisfactory

That is done normally and also indicates a "Cloud"

If your employer is REALLY annoyed, he can always telephone a prospective employer for an "informal" chat.

The whole thing is a mess legally and often leads to defaming on both sides.

There is nothing u can do an employer is not forced to give u a good reference particularly given the circumstances u have outlined. it never pays to leave on bad terms as it can affect yr chances of future employment. i used to work for someone who, however good , u were always put "no" to the question "would u reemploy", this is used as a gauge for yr respect for that employee how good they were, no indicates that they were no good. when challenged about her reasons she said she never would take anyone back on once they had left she obviously didnt understand what the question was getting at.

An employer is not required to give a reference or to give out verification of employment. There is no law that requires this. There is also no law that says that a former employer may not release truthful job related information if they do decide to do an employment verification.

I would suggest that your friend not list this past job on applications or find someone who worked there in management who may be willing to give him/her a good reference.