Asking for references

[malificent7]

Do I have to ask my employer before i put his name down as a reference on an application form? I don't really want him to know i sam looking elsewhere.

[Justkeeppedaling]

Future employers won't usually contact your referees until after they've made you a job offer and you've accepted it.

[MartinMartinMarti]

Not tell him now, but do tell/ ask him before he's contacted.

I've just had a reference request from a former managee who I've not heard from in ages, and it pissed me off no end.

[Aprilx]

I personally would not put anybody’s name down before asking them. The new company might say they will not contact them until later but communication might break down and they may jump the gun if they have somebody’s name.

I would say “to follow” or “to be confirmed” or similar.

[Purplehue13]

No, you do not need to ask your current employer for permission.

I would make sure that the company your are providing these details to are aware you do not want your current employer contacted before you have made them aware. Some companies will contact during the interview process, although it’s not usual.

[caringcarer]

You should never put a person down as a reference before asking them if they would be happy to do so. It is rude.

[Aprilx]

No you do not need to ask your current employer for permission

This is a technically correct answer to the question “do I have to…”. But perhaps that was the wrong question, because of course there is no legislation about this. However conventionally and as a professional courtesy, people do normally request permission first.

[nearlyspringyay]

No they don't, it's standard etiquette and any forms with a sense of hr will give a discretionary line, no more.

[thingymaboob]

@MartinMartinMarti

Not tell him now, but do tell/ ask him before he's contacted.

I've just had a reference request from a former managee who I've not heard from in ages, and it pissed me off no end.

You are being totally unreasonable. Pissed you off no end?! Your past employee obviously knows you well!

[Honaloulou]

Why’s it unreasonable to be pissed off by having a reference request out of the blue? Asking ahead of time is really basic manners.

[DisforDarkChocolate]

I always ask unless a former employer has a policy of having all references go through HR. I think it's rude not to, and you may find your manager has left the company.

[thingymaboob]

I think it's odd that we have to ask managers if they'll give us a reference in advance of receiving the request. Surely it's a given that these requests will come if you're a manager... what do you think? That people you manage will not get jobs in future ? Who do you think the references are coming from? I think it's probably polite to say "I've put you down as an employer reference as you're my line manager" but asking "is it ok?" to someone who was your previous line manager is a bit odd too as they can't really refuse (unless they're a bit of a knob). If managers don't want to write about performance they don't have to - just provide basic info like dates of employment, role and duties (copied from job spec).

[BashfulClam]

I don’t state my reference details until offered a role. My cv says ‘Available on request’

[DataFlop]

@MartinMartinMarti

Not tell him now, but do tell/ ask him before he's contacted.

I've just had a reference request from a former managee who I've not heard from in ages, and it pissed me off no end.

What does being asked for a reference look like? What does the prospective employer ask for when they email you - do they just ask your general opinion about the referee, or do they ask specific questions about experience? Do they send a copy of the CV and cover letter and ask you to confirm the facts??

[Blanketpolicy]

I always put references available on request on applications and always ask before they get the request.

Both because it is polite, but it also give them the chance to decline.