Disciplinary Action on References?

ftilk

Hello

I have a new job offer and they have asked if they are able to contact my current employer for a reference, but I am worried about a previous disciplinary action and how this might affect the job offer.

The disciplinary resulted in a final warning and was about 14 months ago, so has now 'expired' for further action, no no issues there but if they disclose this on the reference it might mean I lose the new job?

Does anyone have any insight as to:

a) How likely/often employers actually ask about discplinary action on a reference request
b) Whether they ask only about 'active/current' ones or 'any in the past' ?
c) Whether they would have to provide details and how likely it is this will lead to a straight outcome of the job offer being withdrawn

.... any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Karl

xapprenticex

What was it for?

sangie595

ftilk wrote: »

Hello

I have a new job offer and they have asked if they are able to contact my current employer for a reference, but I am worried about a previous disciplinary action and how this might affect the job offer.

The disciplinary resulted in a final warning and was about 14 months ago, so has now 'expired' for further action, no no issues there but if they disclose this on the reference it might mean I lose the new job?

Does anyone have any insight as to:

a) How likely/often employers actually ask about discplinary action on a reference request
b) Whether they ask only about 'active/current' ones or 'any in the past' ?
c) Whether they would have to provide details and how likely it is this will lead to a straight outcome of the job offer being withdrawn

.... any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Karl

There are too many factors at play to give accurate information. It depends on the sector, the job, the personalities involved, and that magic invention called the telephone (as in, whether someone picks one up and asks off the record questions - which can happen).I've known people to give a great reference to people that they desperately want rid of because they are rubbish! So it is anyone's guess, and that is probably all you can get from people here. Some employers give nothing but a basic reference with dates of employment (but that telephoned thing may still happen).

It might help if you can give more information about the sector and the jobs involved, but even then it would still be best guesses.

FBaby

When you say 'expired from any further actions' what do you mean? I've seen some references (from Local Authority) where it asks for any disciplinary actions taken, even those who have expired.

I don't know what happens if the policy of the previous company stipulates that once expired, they have to remove from HR files after that time and can't be disclosed.

Undervalued

I agree with the above posters.

Remember an employer can legally say whatever they like in a reference as long as it is true and not deliberately misleading. And yes it is possible to deliberately mislead without straying from the truth! Any concept of "expired" is irrelevant in this context.

That is not to say that they will be this forthcoming. Some employers have very tight policies governing what they will say in a reference and it is this that sometimes give rise to the total myth that "you cannot give a bad reference"!