Reference checks

[MegGriffin]

I am filling in a form to apply for a Teaching assistant position in a primary school. The form says they may/will check references even if an offer for a job has not been made. I obviously do not want my employer to know I am looking for another job, particularly as I may not even get the job so how does this work? Has anyone got any advice or experience in this please?

That's a bit rubbish. Normally I'd say be explicitly clear on the form that references may not be contacted without your permission and not until an offer of employment has been made.

However, if they've gone as far as to put on the form that they might do so I'd be inclined to ring HR and speak to someone about this - you don't want an overenthusastic administrator to not see/pay attention to what you've written and contact people anyway. Explain the situation and get their assurances that your current employer will not be contacted unless and until an offer is made.

It is perfectly reasonable and normal not to have told your employer you are looking for alternative employment, and perfectly reasonable and normal not to want references contacted until necessary, so there shouldn't be a problem specifying that. I can't imagine for one minute that everyone who ever applies for a job at that school is happy for references to be contacted willy-nilly, so I imagine they get this kind of query a lot.

Thank you flowery. I can't imagine sitting my boss down and saying "I'm applying for a job which I may well not get but I have to tell you as they will need a reference". I feel awful just thinking about it.

Also the problem is that they may still go ahead and get references and if I don't forewarn her it would be even worse.

Well I think that's why it's so important you speak to someone, to make sure as much as you can that they don't just go ahead anyway. If you speak to someone in HR you could offer the suggestion that you will give details of your second reference now, and will give details of your current employer if offered the job. That way if they're desperate to contact someone soon, they can do, but as you've not given details of your current employer, there's no danger of them getting carried away and contacting your boss.

Obviously working with children, they will need to follow up references, but have you already been CRB checked? If so, then this would be a head start, so they may relax this until a job offer is made?

I work in a pre-school so I am already CRB checked. I might ring them but the application for is a standard one for the county council which states refereces will be taken up if you are shortlisted if it is a job working with children so it does not sound good. I really don't want my boss to know, even though she is really nice and a reasonable person.

It's pretty common in schools for references to be taken up before interview. At least, mine always have been, as a teacher.

Sounds like i'm going to have to have that very awkard conversation, how horrible. Thing is, I am qualified to do this new job and I fulfill all requirements but I am realistic that one million people will also be applying and resent the fact I have to tell my manager on the off chance I may get the job. If i don't she will think I am looking else where which is not good for working relations etc.