How to get an employer reference?

[grubbinaround]

My son has a casual (zero hours) job in a sports centre near our home, and is applying for a similar job in a sports centre near his university term-time address. He needs a reference, but his current line manager hasn't responded to his request (he's generally bad at responding to emails). If he asks the HR department instead, are they likely to give one? It'll be fine to just confirm he works there, as he already has a character reference from someone else.

Why is he having to get his own reference? Usually the new employer will do that, if they bother at all - most don't now.

HR should be able to give him a basic letter.

New employer should have requested from old employer's HR.

Anywhere big enough to have HR doesn't usually allow managers to provide references direct, all has to be handled formally. At least not anywhere I've worked.

They will, but it's appropriate to ask permission first, to make sure they're willing to give one.

Current employer is a local authority, with big HR department. I've suggested he emails HR to ask what contact details he should use.

If he asks the HR department instead, are they likely to give one?

Why wouldn't they???

Generally they will just give generic dates of his employment and role title, rather than anything more specific. He 'could' contact HR to get the name of someone specific that covers his team/area, but equally, not a real issue if not.

Thanks all. I've only ever used my line manager for a reference, and have always been told its polite to ask first. But he's one of about 70 casual employees so its a different kind of role. Good to know its the done thing to use the HR address.