Staff References- What a Minefield!
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007
I have just had the pleasure of dealing with a few problems for clients regarding staff references. What a minefiled! I thought I would whinge (on my clients’ behalf) on this blog!
Let’s face it, many potential employees will tell you whatever you want to hear to get the job. What a waste of time, effort and money it is when you later find out that your new recruit is a trouble causing, lazy so and so who is rubbish at their job!
Many clients tell me that they are a good judge of character – but that they are afraid to ask many relevant questions during the interview process for fear of landing a discrimination claim!
It’s not rocket science – always ask for references, always take them up and make job offers conditional upon receipt of good ones.
The problem is that too many employers have been listening to lawyers like me and are now too scared to give honest (or any) references. What a sad old world!
However, it is amazing how many people will still give references – and so if you are recruiting always ask. I find that telephoning the last boss for an informal chat is the best way to get useful information. People say far more than they will ever put in writing.
So what if you are asked to give a reference? Well, be careful as there are indeed claims that can be made against you on the basis of a reference that you provide.
As it’s such an important area to get right, I have writtren a short article on it! To read it please see http://www.elliswhittam.com/public/control.php?_path=/381/388/390
Mark