Asking permission to contact jobseeker’s references

Comms69

Piggywinkle wrote: »

It's fairly common for jobs in schools for them to seek references even before interview (but at least they let you know this when applying, unlike OP). It's very annoying! I applied for one job recently who asked me in for an interview on Monday morning. The trouble is that they asked me this at 4pm on a Friday afternoon and I finish work at 3pm. They refused to rearrange so I declined the interview and told them to close my application.

I was not impressed on Monday morning when their reference requests came through to my employers anyway. :mad: I now occasionally get asked if I'm still looking for a new job by my manager.

Isnt that a conversation to be had with the manager?


If I was a manager and I received a reference request and my employee didn't bother going to an interview I would assume it was a scattergun application and they were looking to leave.


If on the other hand they said this was an ideal opportunity and otherwise very happy in the work etc. I would assume that was the truth.

Undervalued

roxane wrote: »

I am certain that this is a breach the Data Protection Act. It isn’t a professional or discreet way to conduct business. Neither does it suggest that they treat their employees courteously. So maybe it is a pretty precarious bridge anyway that is better off burnt?

No, as Comms69 has said it is not.

If you tell someone where you work, they are breaking no law by writing to or phoning the company and asking for a reference. Whether the firm should respond or not, unless they are satisfied that you have given permission, is another matter.

Although I personally wouldn't disagree with you when you say you find it unprofessional, not everybody will take that view so I would think carefully before burning bridges.

Piggywinkle

Comms69 wrote: »

Isnt that a conversation to be had with the manager?


If I was a manager and I received a reference request and my employee didn't bother going to an interview I would assume it was a scattergun application and they were looking to leave.


If on the other hand they said this was an ideal opportunity and otherwise very happy in the work etc. I would assume that was the truth.

I did explain what had happened, but although I'm okay at work, I like to keep my cards close to my chest and this let everyone know that I'd been applying for other jobs. I did explain the situation to my manager and she does say it jokingly but I was still annoyed, as it was quite embarrassing at the time.

andygb

roxane wrote: »

Thank you for sharing, Andygb. Sorry to hear this happened to you. It’s not a pleasant situation to be put in at all.

Did you carry on with the application process?

Unfortunately no. I wonder what my employer said to the agency/potential new employer, but I wasn't offered the job. That is the big problem, if you have been at a place less than two years, then if an employer finds out you are looking for another job, they can get rid of you with no risk to themselves.