Question about job references

[starlightstarbright6]

If you apply for a new job, put down your line manager as your reference as applications date, go to interview and you’re successful, then they contact your manager for reference.

Isn’t that awkward as then your manager knows you’re leaving before you’ve even told them?
I’d rather put down the HR department but job applications always seem to specify line manager?

I’m asking as I have only ever previously worked for big companies where I assume they do go through the HR department, but I currently work at a small local company that I’m looking to leave and feeling very awkward about them contacting my manager before I’ve even said I’m leaving!

Sorry for the ramble

In my experience they offer you the job, you accept it, then they ask for references and you then tell the manager. If your manager gives you a bad reference and you don’t get the job, then it’s awkward alright! But otherwise it’s ok.

In many organisations the line manager isn’t authorised to give references as the company will have a policy on what information is shared and won’t want random managers giving out potentially problematic references. Often just employment dates are given. I would always give the HR department irrespective of whether the new organisation had specified line manager. The hiring organisation shouldn’t contact your referees until after you have accepted their offer.

Most companies I have worked for will not allow staff to give a personal work reference it has to be HR and that will be work dates only.

If someone is willing to give a personal reference I will have contacted them before I supply any details.

Even then I will only offer work history checks up to my current employer.
I would need a job offer on the table before I give permission for future job to contact my current employer.

I will be open about both issues at the interview and will read a reaction from them on how willing the future employer is to work with me on this.

I see it as a test of how employee focused they are and how they take rejection (a nice one).

We both know I got into the room with my CV and in the room we both are checking if we would be a good fit. And that if I or they are a horror to work with that probation is there for a reason.

And if I know that there may be a problem I will have been open as to my side of the story.

Applications that ask for references upfront are only a specific type of job (usually public sector)

you just put “HR dept” where it says line manager. What are they going to do?

Presumably you don't want to work for idiots?

Employers who aren't idiots know that they need to wait until they know you are intending to accept the job offer before contacting your current employer.

The reason why they ask for two references is so that they can contact the other one earlier on in the process.

I have always put - MAY BE CONTACTED AT ANY TIME against one name and DO NOT CONTACT UNTIL I HAVE CONFIRMED ACCEPTANCE OF YOUR JOB OFFER against the other.

Some are idiots

I worked for one place which had (new) HR melt down when an ex-employer ref only provided from-to dates.

The Idiot bit was it was our policy said it was gross misconduct to give anything but that from us and it had to be HR🙄😀