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Screw your boss. Find a coworker at the company for refs. I did this before. Explain what you said when they asked.
Chief
Is there anyone else who was not a direct boss that could give a reference? Or their boss? Even a team member.
Chief
References can be any former colleague, doesn't have to be your most recent manager.
Alternatively, you could ask another senior who is on the same level as your line manager for a reference.
Someone preferably that has worked with you. Or has managed you in the past. Is fine, which I have done myself and most organizations will accept this.
I think references are irrelevant. I told that to the one company still using them, they offered me a job after jumping into a normal interview process. Just explain why it’s kind of awkward if it’s a good reason.