Reference request

[Aermingers]

I've been offered a new role following redundancy. They have taken up references from my last two employers and these have been the standard basic references covering job title and dates of employment. The new employer has come back to me and said that they want a verbal reference as well. HR at my previous employer have a very strict policy that references go via them. Due to the nature of my previous department they are forced to strictly adhere to all company policies and will not budge.

They are now asking me for a reference from the employer before that. In that role my line manager was made redundant at the same time as me and I do not have his contact details.

All I am getting back from the HR depts at both companies is that this is standard procedure and the new employer shouldn't be asking for more information.

Is this correct? I am really upset because it's looking like the job offer may be pulled as a result purely because of the policies of these companies, not because of anything I've done.

[FeckTheMagicDragon]

This is pretty standard sort of official reference from a lot of companies. Can you track down your previous manager on LinkedIn or via old colleagues? Or can you offer a verbal personal reference from an old colleague?

[Aermingers]

I've messaged my old manager on LinkedIn but heard nothing back as yet. It's not a very reliable way of contacting people as they often don't get the messages for quite some time.