Asked to provide a reference for a friend

Chucklechops

Hi

I have a friend who is currently being 'managed out' of her role at an insurance company, for whom I also work.

She's had a successful interview with another employer, and they've asked for a reference from our current employer, and also a reference from a colleague she has worked with - she has chosen me for this reference.

She is being managed out of her current role due to problems with her attendance (due to ill health). Although, it seems like they're taking the stance that her work is not of a  sufficient standard.

The request for a reference has been emailed to me by her new employer, and I'm concerned that if I provide a good reference, and she performs badly in her new job, this could come back on me.

I'm worried that my reference will be seen as me providing it on behalf of my employer, as opposed to being just 'my' own opinion of my friend's work (it's not a personal reference I'm providing, it's based on me having worked with her).

My friend has also asked our HR department to provide a reference (as requested by her new employer), and I'm worried that if my reference contradicts HR's reference, I could get into a lot of trouble/lose my job.

Any guidance will be so appreciated!

Tabieth

I’d just be factual and honest. So clearly state you are not her line manager and you don’t have any information about sickness absence. State in what capacity you are giving the reference (e.g., we worked together in XX role from XX date to YY date). 

You can’t predict the future so, unless you lie / mislead, you’ll be fine. 

Voyager2002

Simply tell the truth, based on your own experience of working with her. Your role as referee is to comment on what it was like working with her. You would not be expected to comment on her attendance (unless you yourself found joint work had been disrupted when she wasn't there), nor to make broader comments about her performance. Stick to the truth about what happened when you worked with her, and nothing bad will happen to you.

Oh: references are confidential, so the new employer cannot share details of what you say with anyone else. It can never come back to your employer. 

Penguin_

Our company policy when asked for a reference is to simply confirm the following:

Name
Job Title
Date employed from (& to if necessary)

That is all we provide.

MyRealNameToo

What questions are you actually being asked?

Has it been sent to your personal email address or your employee email address?

Insurance companies will provide references, they are required to do so when their employee is going to another FS company. They however typically only give factual information not opinion so confirm start and end date, job title, maybe mechanism of leaving. They won't answer questions like if they are a good employee. 

I do sometimes give references for people I've worked with but I'm slightly different given I'm a contractor so not an employee of the firm which adds more distance between us. I also make it clear its represents only my personal opinion and not that of my employer/client. There will be questions that I'm not in a position to answer so just state that if they ask about sick leave or disciplinary etc. 

It may be prudent to ask your line manager if it's ok, by email, before doing so. 

flaneurs_lobster

You are, of course, perfectly entitled to provide a personal reference for whosoever you wish.

It would be a very unusual employer (of any size) that didn't have a clause in your contract of employment that prohibits you from providing references for anyone, in your capacity as an employee of your company.

In fact the prohibition is probably wider in that it would apply to any external communication where you are acting in your official capacity.

The HR department will respond to the request for a reference, usually in the broadest terms, to confirm employment dates for instance, and little else - certainly no opinions as to suitability for a role or anything else.

Proper (unofficial) references are usually sought through personal contacts, especially for more senior roles.

,

Mark_d

Chucklechops said:

The request for a reference has been emailed to me by her new employer, and I'm concerned that if I provide a good reference, and she performs badly in her new job, this could come back on me.

I'm worried that my reference will be seen as me providing it on behalf of my employer, as opposed to being just 'my' own opinion of my friend's work (it's not a personal reference I'm providing, it's based on me having worked with her).

My friend has also asked our HR department to provide a reference (as requested by her new employer), and I'm worried that if my reference contradicts HR's reference, I could get into a lot of trouble/lose my job.

Any guidance will be so appreciated!

In my view your reference should be factual and based on direct personal experience.  When you ask her to do something, does she manage your expectations and complete the job to a high standard with a reasonable timeframe?  Does she stuggle with workload and cut corners?  When you ask her for help, does she give you comprehensive guidance or just fob you off?

In your reference you should clearly state that this is a personal reference based on your experience working with your friend and that the statement is not on behalf of the employer.

You cannot get into trouble or lose your job for telling the truth.  Your reference would only be seen by your friend's new employer.

Chucklechops

Thank you to everyone, I appreciate your comments.

I'm now confident that I can provide a basic factual reference, and I will state that it is a personal reference, not on behalf of the company.

Thanks, all!

Marcon

Tabieth said:

I’d just be factual and honest. So clearly state you are not her line manager and you don’t have any information about sickness absence. State in what capacity you are giving the reference (e.g., we worked together in XX role from XX date to YY date). 

You can’t predict the future so, unless you lie / mislead, you’ll be fine. 

Two problems with that. Unless the reference request specifically asks for details about health and attendance, why on earth would you mention it in a personal reference? Talk about waving a red flat...

As for not having any information...if both parties work in the same office, it's rather likely a colleague's repeated absences will be obvious.

Tabieth

Marcon said:

Tabieth said:

I’d just be factual and honest. So clearly state you are not her line manager and you don’t have any information about sickness absence. State in what capacity you are giving the reference (e.g., we worked together in XX role from XX date to YY date). 

You can’t predict the future so, unless you lie / mislead, you’ll be fine. 

Two problems with that. Unless the reference request specifically asks for details about health and attendance, why on earth would you mention it in a personal reference? Talk about waving a red flat...

As for not having any information...if both parties work in the same office, it's rather likely a colleague's repeated absences will be obvious.

Perhaps I wasn’t clear. I was not suggesting brining it up apropos of nothing. Rather, if asked, the OP should say they don’t have my information. And, unless the OP was the person’s line manager and had access to the sickness absence record including reasons for absence, they shouldn’t say anything. It may have been obvious but speculation and gossip play no part in a reference.