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References

Most employers request references on a prospective employee to verify, for example, information about his or her employment history.

While there is generally no legal obligation on an employer to provide a reference on an employee or former employee to a prospective employer, when employers do respond to reference requests, they should aim to treat all requests consistently.


    • Latest News
    • Discrimination
    • References

    How to avoid risk when providing employer references

    by Rhona Darbyshire 7 Oct 2019
    by Rhona Darbyshire 7 Oct 2019

    Giving departing employees a reference should be a risk-free procedure. But there are potentially damaging pitfalls to avoid.

    • General Data Protection Regulation
    • Latest News
    • Notice periods

    Top 10 HR questions May 2018: GDPR special category data

    by XpertHR 1 Jun 2018
    by XpertHR 1 Jun 2018

    Many HR professionals will have spent months preparing for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Now it is finally in...

    • Latest News
    • Criminal records
    • Pre-employment screening

    What the Oxfam scandal can teach us about background checking

    by David Haines 5 Mar 2018
    by David Haines 5 Mar 2018

    The recent scandals involving Oxfam and other charities have come as a surprise to many, but could these embarrassing allegations...

    • Criminal records
    • Pre-employment screening
    • References

    Background screening: Eight key checks employers must make

    by Steve Smith 7 Nov 2017
    by Steve Smith 7 Nov 2017

    Increased compliance means rising numbers of employers are performing numerous background checks on employees. Steve Smith...

    • Recruitment & retention
    • References
    • Employee references

    Reference requests: eight things every employer should know

    by Sarah Anderson 31 Aug 2016
    by Sarah Anderson 31 Aug 2016

    It is common practice for employers to provide references for employees and ex-employees, but there are risks involved. Sarah Anderson...

    • Criminal records
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Pre-employment screening

    Leadsom and “CV-gate”: how can HR always be sure of accuracy?

    by Ed Allnutt 13 Jul 2016
    by Ed Allnutt 13 Jul 2016

    Before she stepped out of the Conservative party leadership race earlier this week, Andrea Leadsom had already attracted unwanted attention...

    • Employer branding
    • Pre-employment screening
    • References

    Withdrawing job offers: the risks and how to limit them

    by Clio Springer 16 May 2016
    by Clio Springer 16 May 2016

    Can you withdraw a job offer once it has been made? We look at the risks employers face if they...

    • Tribunal Watch
    • NHS
    • Disability discrimination

    Employer withdrew job offer due to sickness absence

    by Stephen Simpson 9 May 2016
    by Stephen Simpson 9 May 2016

    An employment tribunal held that a nurse was the victim of discrimination arising from disability, after her prospective employer withdrew...

    • Social media
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Pre-employment screening

    Candidates sue LinkedIn over lost job opportunities

    by Rob Moss 10 Nov 2014
    by Rob Moss 10 Nov 2014

    LinkedIn is facing a class action lawsuit in California over its premium “reference search” function that allows employers to identify...

    • Europe
    • Maternity
    • Paternity

    Recruitment and dismissal in Europe: what employers need to know

    by Ann Bevitt and Caroline Stakim 8 May 2014
    by Ann Bevitt and Caroline Stakim 8 May 2014

    Recruitment and dismissal can be problematic for businesses, particularly when employers are unaware of the legal consequences of their actions....

    • Employment law
    • Criminal records
    • Recruitment & retention

    Vetting and barring changes 2012: three things employers need to know

    by Laura Chamberlain 5 Sep 2012
    by Laura Chamberlain 5 Sep 2012

    From 10 September 2012, a number of amendments to the vetting and barring scheme, which is designed to protect vulnerable...

    • Employment law
    • Recruitment & retention
    • References

    Legal opinion: Liability for statements about former employees

    by Rachel Sutton 6 Jun 2011
    by Rachel Sutton 6 Jun 2011

    It has long been accepted that an employer will owe a duty of care in respect of a reference given...

    • Legal Q&A
    • Recruitment & retention
    • References

    Weekly dilemma: References for poor former employees

    by Personnel Today 16 Nov 2010
    by Personnel Today 16 Nov 2010

    I have received a reference request from an employee I was pleased to get rid of. Do I have to...

    • Legal Q&A
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Pre-employment screening

    Weekly dilemma: Pre-employment screening

    by Personnel Today 15 Sep 2010
    by Personnel Today 15 Sep 2010

    My company is gearing up for a round of recruitment. I realise people often exaggerate their employment history and experience,...

    • Employment law
    • Recruitment & retention
    • References

    Case of the week: Brown v Baxter and another t/a Careham Hall

    by Personnel Today 4 Aug 2010
    by Personnel Today 4 Aug 2010

    Brown v Baxter and another t/a Careham HallFACTSThe claimant, Emma Brown, worked as an assistant care manager at a residential...

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