Do employers check references?

RyanJL345

Hi,

Just a quick question...I got offered a job yesterday, received confirmation by phone and email. On the application I had to put down an academic reference and one from my last employment. Lecturer has agreed to give me one so that's sorted but last employment is a problem because I quit after a disagreement over shifts and a few other things.

I put it down anyway as I didn't really expect to get the job and thought it was worth taking a chance. Will they actually bother to check the references? I'm not sure whether they checked for my last job, and neither teacher mentioned it to me. Also bare in mind it's just a part time retail job for a few hours each weekend...

Thanks

CKhalvashi

I'm extremely cautious with references, as our work involves a lot of children.

It will ultimately be with the employer whether they will check, however your past employer may keep quiet, to avoid the threat of being taken to tribunal.

Good luck!

CK

timbo58

Depends on too many factors IME.

A larger employer might as it could be their policy for all positions to at least check previous employer.
A smaller employer may not bother.

It is IME more likely to check with a recent previous employer than any other reference however.

RyanJL345

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I'm extremely cautious with references, as our work involves a lot of children.

It will ultimately be with the employer whether they will check, however your past employer may keep quiet, to avoid the threat of being taken to tribunal.

Good luck!

CK

Thanks for the reply. I can understand being cautious with work involving children but as this is just a weekend job in retail hopefully they will be a little more relaxed about it.

CKhalvashi

RyanJL345 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I can understand being cautious with work involving children but as this is just a weekend job in retail hopefully they will be a little more relaxed about it.

I'm just saying that for some jobs will be checked, and for some won't. Whilst I have interests in different areas, ultimately, as I've never worked in retail, I don't know.

I'd say that if you've been hardworking, there isn't a lot that can be done regarding the previous dispute.

CK

amiehall

It will really depend on the company policy. In my current job, we don't actually send off for ANY references haha which I think is a bit ridiculous. However, considering how generic most references are now, and the fact that the person is working for you while you're waiting on the references, maybe they're a bit useless.

In my previous job, we couldn't sign someone off from their probationary period until 2 satisfactory references were received.

Don't worry about it. Quite possibly they won't chase a reference, and if they do, your former employer might well not reply or could send something very generic outlining simply your role, responsibilities and dates worked. They may be wary of bringing up your dispute, particularly if it's something to which there could be 2 reasonable points of view.

InsideInsurance

Even if they do check the odds are that the referrence received will be exceptionally generic. Many large companies will only give start date, end date, last job title and method of termination (resignation, sacked, redundant)

There is too much risk of being sued for going into details or giving opinion when it is of absolutely no benefit to the company giving the reference.

In 19 years of applying for jobs and hiring others, and many in high volume roles, I only know of a single person to have issues with references.

scooby088

I was told at interview at one company that they never check references as they didn't have time and would rather see the person working to form their own judgement.

RyanJL345

amiehall wrote: »

It will really depend on the company policy. In my current job, we don't actually send off for ANY references haha which I think is a bit ridiculous. However, considering how generic most references are now, and the fact that the person is working for you while you're waiting on the references, maybe they're a bit useless.

In my previous job, we couldn't sign someone off from their probationary period until 2 satisfactory references were received.

Don't worry about it. Quite possibly they won't chase a reference, and if they do, your former employer might well not reply or could send something very generic outlining simply your role, responsibilities and dates worked. They may be wary of bringing up your dispute, particularly if it's something to which there could be 2 reasonable points of view.

How do they actually contact references then? I just assumed they gave them a call which is why I was a little worried that the manager would just decide to bring up the fact that I basically walked out of the job.

If they just give out role, responsibilities and dates then I should be okay. Thanks

InsideInsurance

RyanJL345 wrote: »

How do they actually contact references then? I just assumed they gave them a call which is why I was a little worried that the manager would just decide to bring up the fact that I basically walked out of the job.

Varies, most of the time they want a written response so they have evidence so email or post.

Now, if you have worked for someone I know, I will phone them for an informal/ off the record reference but that normally would be prior to even interviewing you. Insurance is a small world so this is fairly common

amiehall

RyanJL345 wrote: »

How do they actually contact references then? I just assumed they gave them a call which is why I was a little worried that the manager would just decide to bring up the fact that I basically walked out of the job.

If they just give out role, responsibilities and dates then I should be okay. Thanks

I would write to the address provided to obtain a written reference. As stated, they're usually worried you might try and sue them for defamation if they write anything other than verifiable facts. It is common for references to consist of just dates and roles.

By the time your written reference comes through, you should have been working there a little while and hopefully it won't be bad enough to terminate your employment. I suspect that it will be very generic if it appears at all.

Good luck!