Reference check - how long after job has started?

Trallallero

- Asking for a friend - 
My friend S. has started a new role as a cleaner on March the 15th. During the application process he stated an incorrect information on his CV, 3 years ago he was off work for a few months due to depression (he is better now), and to avoid gaps on his CV he lied about the end date of his previous job, he knows that this is not the right thing to do and he is not gonna do that again.
Anyway, on the first week in the new job he was asked to provide 2 references, which he did (they were from his latest job), and he knows that they have been contacted.
Then (unexpectedly) they asked for a reference from his first job, since he was worried that they might check the employment dates he tried to buy time by telling them he needed to check and get in touch with them before sending them.
This happened almost 3 weeks ago, and they haven’t chased ever since then so it’s likely that they’ve just forgot about it.
My friend is now worried that they might bring it up again, is there any time limit for an employer to check references or this can be done at any time?

AskAsk

it can be at any time

OrbitHeadache

Never understood why some employers especially recruitment agencies do reference checks AFTER the person has started employment with them.

I mean what's the point?

[Deleted User]

If a job offer, is typed subject to satisfactory reference/s. And one of the chain hasn't responded. And the job comes with a probationary period..... and the company possibly want rid of you, what better way, knowing current data protection means they simply get to omit a reference, in the event they are SAR'd.

I wouldn't have wanted it to come to this but was offered an interview for this Friday, however the agent and their client (who seems to suffer high turnover) demands to take a verbal reference before an interview from a particular employer 'of their choice' on the CV  - I have never witnessed this carry on (except with Care and an 'informal neighbours over the fence' chat) I'll say good luck to them, I've never been in a situation of handling over details for an Employer who has committed a crime - and there is very little help out there as to how these criminal employers should land up displayed on a CV. It might be hilarious and furlough fraud to someone else doesn't mean much, but to me it does, especially, when you are asked not to find out more about that fraud but someone on other side (because they will know who reported them!) is given complete reign to ensure said interview is a waste of time.  (I also have no idea whether this is a requirement of all applicants so equally smelly, so it doesn't sit right) I mean I would hate to end up working alongside someone who skipped a reference process in this request.  I am inclined to morally say no thank you to interview as reference taking before an interview; well does it mean the company has no interviewing skills? 

I don't know the whole reference procedure needs an overhaul, but how you would do it, I just don't know.

Undervalued

OrbitHeadache said:

Never understood why some employers especially recruitment agencies do reference checks AFTER the person has started employment with them.

I mean what's the point?

If they need somebody quickly?

The vast majority of references check out OK, after all most people will only offer a reference that is likely to speak well of them.

There is very little job security in the first two years. In the first month of employment there is not even any requirement to give notice if the employer wants rid of somebody (unless a notice period is specified in any contract).

So that is the point under many circumstances!

TELLIT01

Many (most?) people won't want references taken up by a potential employer before a job offer is made for pretty obvious reasons.  If a potential employee only has to give one week notice there won't be time for the references to be requested and received before the start date.

Trallallero

Thanks everyone who replied