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Employment references - what value are they?

Jacqueline Burnett

HI,

We issue approx 300 new contracts a month and generally request 2 references per new hire.  However, the response rate is only 19%, many references are factual only stating only the dates of employment.  6% of the 19% that responded were poor references. We have a 6 month probationary period where poor performers / attitude issues can be weeded out.

When considering how we could automate the reference process, we began to question the value of obtainng references versus the administrative chore it entails.  As I understand it, there is no legal reason in our business why we would have to obtain employment references. 

Interested to hear your views please.  Sounds couter intuitive but ..

Do you think references are necessary / provide valuable information?

Would you conisder not requesting references at all?

Is the administrative element justified when considering the value of the information gleaned?

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  • I've always chased and checked references after being caught out more than once.

    Dr John Andrewes is a perfect example where he was able to obtain senior roles within the NHS without the necessary qualifications he claimed to have after lying about a role with HMRC on his CV.
  • in reply to Annette
    That comes down to sloppy recruitment practices, you would be surprised how many companies/organisations do not check qualifications for example.

    HP got caught out over 20 years ok, they hired people to go on their graduate training scheme, on the first day another HR Manager decided to ask to see their degrees, turned out that none had a degree! Not sure why he didn't show them the door, but he actually hastily organised an A level training scheme for them!

    There are plenty of bluffers in HR as well, plenty of people without the qualifications that they claim they have, some with fake CIPD levels others who lapsed CIPD membership many years ago and are quite blatant about using MCIPD/FCIPD.

    The NHS is a good example where they have a Counter Fraud Service that audits personnel files and will check qualifications and if someone has lied will prosecute
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  • in reply to Annette
    That comes down to sloppy recruitment practices, you would be surprised how many companies/organisations do not check qualifications for example.

    HP got caught out over 20 years ok, they hired people to go on their graduate training scheme, on the first day another HR Manager decided to ask to see their degrees, turned out that none had a degree! Not sure why he didn't show them the door, but he actually hastily organised an A level training scheme for them!

    There are plenty of bluffers in HR as well, plenty of people without the qualifications that they claim they have, some with fake CIPD levels others who lapsed CIPD membership many years ago and are quite blatant about using MCIPD/FCIPD.

    The NHS is a good example where they have a Counter Fraud Service that audits personnel files and will check qualifications and if someone has lied will prosecute
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