HR & References

Olivia111

Hi

Could someone please tell me what HR will ask your references for, I have a friend who is going for a job and is worried about what they will say.

I do believe they will do this in writing.

Thanks

Olivia

Savvy_Sue

Nobody knows what will be asked for ... and nobody knows what the current employer will say in response, although that question can easily be answered by the current employer.

Some employers will only give a 'basic' reference: "O's friend was employed by us from x date to y date."

Some companies ask for more - how long have they worked there, are they reliable and trustworthy, do you think they are suitable for this job we're offering them, would you employ them again, were they subject to any disciplinary actions, how much sick leave have they had.

What exactly is your friend worried about?

Masomnia

Different companies have different policies on what they will ask for, and then companies have different policies in terms of what they will put in a reference when they are asked for one. It may depend on the role, as in some regulated roles then certain things are obligatory.

As long as it is accurate they can more or less say what they like.

The new employer will likely want to know at least dates of employment and the position held, and may ask to comment on attendance/performance/conduct. As I say though some companies won't comment on that, and give standard references, or just confirm dates. A place where I used to work now has a policy of not giving references at all.

If you let us know what you... er your friend is worried about specifically we might be able to give you a firmer answer, but really we can't say for sure.

Hope that helps, at least a bit.

ohreally

What is her fear?

Olivia111

Sorry all,

She applied for a job and thought she had to use her last employee has a reference, she later realised she could of used any reference. She is worried because she left on bad terms and she feels he wont give her a good reference.

She found out today she got the job and they will be contacting her reference's, I suppose she cant do nothing about it now and just hope he says good things about her.

Thanks everybody

[Deleted User]

Hopefully they will let her know if they come across any difficulties.

At the risk of being shot down: Sometimes it can be said a reference will be taken and never actually followed through. People don't want to get into discussions of he said this, she say's that with no real proof anymore.
Not many applicants are ever CC'd in are they when we think about it!

Tell her to keep her pecker up.

Savvy_Sue

Olivia111 wrote: »

She applied for a job and thought she had to use her last employee has a reference, she later realised she could of used any reference. She is worried because she left on bad terms and she feels he wont give her a good reference.

That's the usual thing to do, and sometimes it is explicitly what is asked for. If you're not using your last employer I think I'd try to give a reason.

Also it's a courtesy to let people know if you've used them as a referee, so when you phone them up to ask if that's OK you'll probably get an idea of what's going to happen.

Olivia111 wrote: »

She found out today she got the job and they will be contacting her reference's, I suppose she cant do nothing about it now and just hope he says good things about her.

there are some things she could do, the first is as above to contact the employer and ask what their policy on references is. If the answer is an evil laugh or incredulity or similarly unpromising, then I'd get onto the new employer and say that you'd prefer them to contact xxx as previous is not happy about her leaving. And hope it's not too late.

Olivia111

Hi Savvy Sue

Is there a possibility then if she rings first thing Monday morning that her new employer would let her change the reference, if they already have not sent out letter.

She was having a tough time with her last employer and just handed her notice in and left, they were not too happy.

Thanks

Undervalued

Olivia111 wrote: »

Hi Savvy Sue

Is there a possibility then if she rings first thing Monday morning that her new employer would let her change the reference, if they already have not sent out letter.

She was having a tough time with her last employer and just handed her notice in and left, they were not too happy.

Thanks

To answer a question addressed to somebody else......

Nobody here can tell you that for certain. They may. Or alternatively it may ring alarm bells.

They might also phone the employer you don't want them to contact for an "off the record" chat!

Savvy_Sue

^^ what s/he said!

Olivia111

Sorry only getting back to you now.

She is going to ring first thing tomorrow and try and change it. hopefully they will but if they don't just hope they say good things about her.

Thanks for all the help.