Reference

Froggy123

I asked for a reference from my manager in a company i worked in for just over 6 months. They said it was fine and gave me the email address of their HR department who would confirm I was employed with them for that period of time. They said that the company doesn't give personal references.

I'm just wondering how bad that looks?

Procrastastudy

Thats standard practice for most employers. Depending on the job there might be a 'grapevine reference' taken but as for official references they look like this:

Dear Blah,

Dirk Diggler worked in the capacity of XYZ from 15th March 1999 to 17th April 2007.

Yours blah,
blah

Doing anything else opens the door to possible legal action on, believe it or not, good and bad references.

bbam

Standard stuff OK...
I would have given personal references for employees but only those I worked with for a period of time and I genuinely through deserved that little extra...

Froggy123

That's ok then! Just thought it was a bit odd:)

Gael23

Sorry for digging up an old thread but I have the very same question a the OP so dont want to start a new one.
My last employer has the exact same policy but I was wondering could I ask for one from someone I worked with (Manager/Supervisor) rather than HR?

tatli_lokma

depends on the company. If there is a strict policy, your manager/supervisor will have been told not to give personal references or there will be consequences for them to face. It is no harm to ask, but don't be surprised if they refuse.

Happened to my husband, his last company only gave the standard 'confirmation' reference, but his new company wanted a personal reference. He asked his supervisor who point blank refused, not because they didn't want to give a reference, but because if it was found out she had, she could be facing a disciplinary issue herself. In the end he got around it by providing 3 other personal references from his prior employments. The HR dept in the new company would have prefered his most recent supervisor, but once they confirmed the process with the immediately previous employer they were willing to be flexible.

Gael23

tatli_lokma wrote: »

depends on the company. If there is a strict policy, your manager/supervisor will have been told not to give personal references or there will be consequences for them to face. It is no harm to ask, but don't be surprised if they refuse.

Happened to my husband, his last company only gave the standard 'confirmation' reference, but his new company wanted a personal reference. He asked his supervisor who point blank refused, not because they didn't want to give a reference, but because if it was found out she had, she could be facing a disciplinary issue herself. In the end he got around it by providing 3 other personal references from his prior employments. The HR dept in the new company would have prefered his most recent supervisor, but once they confirmed the process with the immediately previous employer they were willing to be flexible.

Would this type of thing be a turn off to potential employers or do they understand?

tatli_lokma

It is a bit of an obstacle TBH, as a lot of employers insist on a personal reference, but once you have other decent referees (and they are relatively recent supervisors) then they usually understand. However, the company my husband was moving to did phone the HR company in his last place to confirm that they don't give personal references. I think as long as they get it confirmed and you have alternative references it should be ok.

Gael23

tatli_lokma wrote: »

It is a bit of an obstacle TBH, as a lot of employers insist on a personal reference, but once you have other decent referees (and they are relatively recent supervisors) then they usually understand. However, the company my husband was moving to did phone the HR company in his last place to confirm that they don't give personal references. I think as long as they get it confirmed and you have alternative references it should be ok.

How recent would be acceptable?
Im currently in College and have just finished my work placement as part of my course so will be another year or maybe 2 years before i'm in the Jobs market.
Sorry for all these questions, its all new to me!

Irish_Elect_Eng

Even if a company do not officially give references, references are often provided informally. Not on paper though, one HR dept. calls another and a brief, off the record discussion occurs.