legality of getting references

[oddthing]

does anyone know if it's illegal to get a reference from someone who didn't approve it? ie the application said references on request but the employer just contacts previous employers?

Why, what are you trying to hide?

It's not illegal to contact previous employers, no.

Your previous employers shouldn't release personal data about you without your consent, but there's nothing stopping a prospective new employer from getting in touch with a previous employer as such.

Normal procedure would be to ask permission from the potential employee first, and not approach current employers until notice has been given (except in some industries).

So in answer to your question, it's not illegal to get a reference, but it might be in breach of the data protection act to give a reference.