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18 Employment references - what value are they?

11 Apr, 2019 14:04

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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Peter Stanway | 0 Posts

6 Jun, 2019 10:38

In reply to Keith:
Quite
I advise people to stick to the non agreed approach ie will receive a positively worded reference. Solicitors like certainty!
Looks less like a copy and paste job.
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admin | 0 Posts

7 Jun, 2019 15:26

Hi Jacqueline, I agree it is an administrative chore and based on the information usually received, eg; Dates of service and job title it doesn't really tell us anything about the candidate/new employee. The probationary period as you say helps to identify any poor performers providing there is a robust process that hiring managers follow, we all have those " I want to get rid of them" managers after HR have agreed to perm employment with the individual!!! Character references would be better however, employers are reluctant to offer these.
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Helen | 0 Posts

22 Jan, 2021 16:16

In reply to Claire:
Hi Claire,

I appreciate it's almost two years since you wrote this post. Do you mind me asking who you outsourced your reference checking process to? I am in the care sector and we request a high volume of references. I'm considering outsourcing or implementing software which automatically emails and chases referees. I'd be interest in your thoughts on either solution.

Thank you and kind regards,

Helen
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