General question... not relating to me at the minute....

In the US, employers are only obligated to confirm dates of employment and job titles I thought. They "can" give references, but if someone gives a bad reference and it isn't called for, they open themselves up to a law suit. So most HR depts disallow it. That being said, references are still given, just quietly. At least that's been my experience.

Depends, the person can agree that he didn't do a good job because of certain reasons and promise to change.

Or

You can give fake reference

Employers can give whatever recommendation they want. Many will only confirm dates of employment because they fear getting sued.

There's a problem over getting sued for libel or slander.

Anyway if you regularly receive references it's normally easy to spot.

Whilst you get a standard one from the company you ask for personal ones. In getting those you ask how the person knows you. If you fail to get personal references from old bosses or colleagues begins to hint they weren't any good.

But that's what probation periods are for. If they aren't any good let them go at the end of that.

They arent obligated to say nice things. Who told you that?