Reference etiquette

[sp3418]

Ok so I'm applying for a new job (within the nhs, but different trust)
The job I'm doing at the moment is quite niche so I have to put my current manager as my reference (I'm pretty certain it will be a good reference).

At what point do you let your current manager/ask your current manager know that you have out their name down as a reference?

Out of politeness is it when (if) I find out I have an interview? Or afterwards (if) I'm offered the job? (I ticked the do not contact pre interview box)

Although I'm pretty certain it would be a good reference I know she'll be upset I'm leaving or even thinking or leaving.

But then if I only tell her after (if) I'm offered the job she will know I put her name down without asking.

A few reasons for wanting to leave- pushed into moving into a higher band so taking on more work within the same hours, a lot of pressure on me to increase my hours, new job would be closer so less of a commute and WFH is ending in my current job

Probably overthinking but it's stressing me out! Thoughts?

hi there I don't have experience in the NHS but have recently got a new job after years in local council. I'd say wait till you have the offer?? your offer letter if you get the job will be subject to '"satisfactory references". For the other reference, if you need one, I usually ask out of courtesy beforehand as they may need to be a reference on a rolling basis depending on how many jobs you go for! but no I'd say don't sabotage your current career on the off chance you might get a new job.

You mention it just before the reference is taken up. No need to do it sooner as it might not be necessary at all.

I wouldn’t put anyone down as a reference without telling them. At this stage in the process I would either put down “references to follow” or I would stipulate that references are not to be taken up without my further permission.

I would always ask before submitting references. If the references are required at application, I would still ask before sending it in. You can’t really ask after, what if they said no and you’ve already submitted it or they have a different system like HR do it?

I might speak to HR first. Now that most references are very limited and factual (X worked her for 4 years, no disciplinaries, The End), some NHS HR departments take on these requests, so you could put them down instead.

You need to ask a person if they’re willing to act as a referee, before you put their name down on any form!

And please stop stressing about looking for another job - it is how the working world runs. No employer, boss, etc has any right to expect that you will never leave.

I think you have to tell her before you submit. You’ve got good reasons for looking for another job so shouldn’t be a problem

I wouldn't let someone know/tell them I was putting them down as a referee, I'd ask them if they would be a referee beforehand.

As it's already done, and you've ticked the box for referees not to be contacted, I think it would be polite to let her know when you get an interview, and ask her then, if you are successful, would she provide a reference for you.

It’s simple though- at the point an offer is made and a reference will therefore be taken up, OP tells manager and asks if she will be a referee. If manager says no, OP contacts new employer with a different name.

Just coming on to echo what some others have said, in the NHS the etiquette is very much that you only need to tell your manager you've put them as a reference at the point that reference is taken up, which is always after you've been offered the role.

Perhaps other places/sectors still do reference checks pre-interview but not usually the NHS and they should always tell you if for some reason they are going to so you'll have a chance to warn your manager. I've never known an NHS manager get annoyed about not being told they are a referee pre-interview so I really wouldn't stress OP, but if you are that worried just put your HR generic email address down, like someone else said a lot of trusts now have policies of providing HR references only so this won't look odd.

That’s interesting, maxelly. People would be thoroughly pissed off, in my field, if their names were offered up without getting their permission first.

I've seen it "backfire" when the applicant (NHS) didn't ask permission of the current manager - the reference request was submitted to the manager and the reference first line was something like "I was most surprised and rather annoyed to receive a reference request from you regarding employee X as I had not been asked for my consent to this, and had absolutely no idea that X was thinking of applying for Y post..."

This is probably unusual I know, but it did happen.