Yes, I once (and only once) called someone's chosen reference person and received a rather negative review of her qualities and capabilities. I had two concerns about this: 1. Was the information provided in this phone call accurate and how applicable would it be to the new job? and 2. What does this say about the job candidate that she selected someone as a reference without, obviously, really having a good sense of what this person would say?
To the other question about reference requests being directed to HR. I am an HR consultant and was the head of HR in the corporate world for eons. I have always had policies in place requiring calls for references to be forwarded to HR. This is the case in most companies, at least in those large enough to have policies and someone reviewing areas of potential liability. There is risk in allowing a supervisor to say whatever is on their mind about an employee. I've seen charges of libel and slander, whether or not the information provided was true. I've also been asked if it is OK to provide only positive references and avoid the negative ones. If this becomes the practice, then if the manager doesn't give a reference, we know it would have been a bad one.
Almost all employers will call your references and almost no employers will give out information on current and past employees. The good news is that most folks know that this is for legal and policy reasons, rather than anything personal about the employee.
Irene
www.linkedin.com/in/irenekoehler
www.firstthingtomorrow.com
Re: [My Linkedin Power Forum] RE: Background/Reference Check - Befor
Posted by: "Denise Michalik" denisemichalik@grouply.com denisemichalik
Sat Dec 8, 2007 9:40 am (PST)
PS,Do you really know of someone who provded a reference that was not supportive? More food for thought..
Best Regards,
Denise M. Michalik
Ph: 616-878-4173
Cell: 248-345-7523
email: denisemichalik@ comcast.net
www.MyPowerFoodGrou p.com
http://www.linkedin .com/e/gis/ 35304/331A56557E C8
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