So what exactly happens when you ex-employer receives a reference request?

Andrew_Ryan_89

So, two questions here from me and a friend.

My friend recently lost his job due to performance, he never got past his probation period. We both wanted to know whether his former employer will give the reason for why he left to his new employer? For example, in an interview he said the reason he left was because it was not a good fit. Skirting around the question and not saying it was explicitly he was let go. Is that something that comes up in a reference?

My situation is that I am about to lose my job, probably at the end of the month. Plan is to hand in my notice instead of being "fired". But I am curious, does the reason for leaving come up in a reference?

I have just always been curious was comes up in a reference and how it all looks like. My friend received a request and it just asked for confirmation of employment date and how many sick days they had.

Torry_Quine

Some references are just the bare facts such as dates of employment and role held. It can have the reason the job ended such as not passing probation. As long as it's accurate then it can say whatever is deemed appropriate

*~Zephyr~*

I fill in references for past employees fairly regularly and mostly, it's just start and end dates of employment, salary, bonuses etc and how many sick days were taken.

Typically they do not ask why someone left, but rather they ask:

"Would you re-employ this person? YES / NO"


a particularly simple question, the answer to which can be exquisitely damning.

Undervalued

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

So, two questions here from me and a friend.

My friend recently lost his job due to performance, he never got past his probation period. We both wanted to know whether his former employer will give the reason for why he left to his new employer? For example, in an interview he said the reason he left was because it was not a good fit. Skirting around the question and not saying it was explicitly he was let go. Is that something that comes up in a reference?

My situation is that I am about to lose my job, probably at the end of the month. Plan is to hand in my notice instead of being "fired". But I am curious, does the reason for leaving come up in a reference?

I have just always been curious was comes up in a reference and how it all looks like. My friend received a request and it just asked for confirmation of employment date and how many sick days they had.

As has been said on here many time before, an employer can say anything they like as long as it is true and not deliberately misleading.

Whilst it is becoming increasingly common in many industries only to provide very basic references, that is still by no means universal. In any case there can sometimes be an "informal" chat on the phone!

Equally, an employer may choose to ignore the reference request completely.

saker75

Some employers will send a pro forma with very specific questions around performance. Many will ask if I'd employ the candidate again. My organisation does not provide character references, only the dates and job title of those employed. I will sometimes give a verbal recommendation in addition to what is asked.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I fill in references for past employees fairly regularly and mostly, it's just start and end dates of employment, salary, bonuses etc and how many sick days were taken.

Typically they do not ask why someone left, but rather they ask:

"Would you re-employ this person? YES / NO"


a particularly simple question, the answer to which can be exquisitely damning.

I remember a while ago on here somebody claimed that they routinely answer "no" to this question if they don't have any vacancies when the question is asked. They couldn't see how inane this behaviour was.

gettingtheresometime

Andrew given that your wife is pregnant wouldn't you be better off being made redundant as far as being able to claim benefits is concerned?

[Deleted User]

Yeah as someone feeling spared by the reference request I'm with Scorpionde. The one time I was glad there was a reference request.. IE it likely alerted someone to post a job knowing someone's grand plan actually hadn't worked out, no matter what was said, I'll always be grateful for eventually learning to ask the question myself of - would you re employ.