Crossword Genius

Wouldn't accept being employed by the person referred to (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

refused

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'referred to' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'wouldn't accept being employed by the person' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'employed' could be 'used' ('use' can be a synonym of 'employ') and 'used' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ref' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for refused that I've seen before include "Was unwilling to accept" , "Not accepted" , "Declined, rejected" , "turned down appeal" , "Said no (7)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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