Does this seem too personal for a reference ?

[Monsoonx]

I have been offered a new job and they are currently in the process of obtaining references.
They require one from anywhere I have worked in the last 5 years and one of my previous employers actually sent me the reference form they had received, to ask if I wanted anything specific on it.

I have never seen a reference form before but honestly was shocked. There were literally 20 questions on there for previous employers to answer about me, and then the part where they have to 'rate me'.
They have to 'rate me out of 10' for an array of things, 'how funny I am' 'how sensitive I am' 'my appearance' 'how well I handle personal circumstances(?!)' 'how cheerful I am' and various other questions.

My colleague thinks it is far too intrusive and breaking GDPR rules. What do others think about this ? I'm honestly now worried my job offer will be withdrawn if someone rates me lower on some of these things.

I would be surprised if any employer actually answered those questions. Some of those are very subjective and it could cause a lot of problems for the employers if your disagree and challenged them on it.

*you disagree!

what kind of school? local authority?

this is just odd.

Unless you're applying to be a Red Coat I don't think any of that is relevant!!

They really are very subjective. Also, some people have a more serious manner and some a jokey one but both could be perfectly pleasant and professional people.
It's an Academy !

Wait, are HR required to give information about sickness record??? If that's the case, I'm royally fucked . I thought it was just dates and position.

The questions are ridiculous! What one person perceives as funny someone else could see as irritating .

Is this for a privately run/managed school or an academy or something? Ah, just read it's for an academy. I always thought the way most schools ran interviews was utterly weird compared to well, any other sector except maybe the arts and fashion but I'm not sure there is any actual legislation that can help you, just good practise.

I don't mean things that are obviously a good idea like DBS etc (or CRB or whatever it's called this week), but things like the practice of getting references in advance. NO other sector does that, to the best of my knowledge. You might hate your boss and not want them to know you're applying elsewhere, thanks! And the bonkers way they have of starting you all off together at the start of the day and then gradually whittling you down one by one - it's like a bargain basement version of I'm A Celebrity and the like!

Anyway, have a look at:

neu.org.uk/advice/references and assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/750826/Staff_Advice_Handbook_October-2018-edit.pdf (if you don't fall asleep long before the end of that last one).

@Doingtheboxerbeat It’s standard for HR to give factual details, and that includes sickness absences and any disciplinary measures. I would expect HR to give that information, if requested- which they normally would be.

@daisypond, I always thought that too, as I used to work in administration at a recruitment agency, sending out reference requests. But I have been told recently that most HR don't go into details like that anymore, in case it jeopardises future job offers. But I just assumed that as long as it's factual, then so be it.

But that’s the point of references - they may well jeopardise job offers. Otherwise what’s the point? As long as it’s factual.