Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 8
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Are Reference Checks Worth The Trouble?
Total Comments: 8
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Reference Checks Are Important!
DFAS
Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:36 AM
Post Reply
When I was working at a navy yard many years ago, I was told about an employee who had been hired to work on nuclear submarines after an inadequate reference check. His application said that he had had extensive experience building subs at a sub shop. He was later fired for falsifying his application, but when he appealed the firing the Navy was told that what he had written on his application was technically correct, and that they should have checked better. He was re-instated.
Re: Reference Checks Are Important!
Navy
Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:45 AM
Oppermann's article
FDA
Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:06 AM
Post Reply
What is procedure for gaining permission to reproduce Mr. Oppermann's article for possible use in manager training?
Re: Oppermann's article
FedSmith.com
Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:25 PM
Are reference checks worth the trouble?
Social Security Administration
Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:49 AM
Post Reply
The thing to emphathize for people making reference checks is that if you are directed to HR or the legal staff and all you get are dates of employment, salary, job position, etc. then there art things about that applicant you need to know but can't find out. I would recommend forgetting that candidate and moving on to someone else. The article is right that these types of references almost always come as a result of a settlement agreement over serious conduct or preformance defiicencies. If the applicant was good then the supervisor is usually only too happy to sing his/her praises.
The 'Golden Question'
Interior
Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:31 PM
Post Reply
As an HR staffer, I have found that there is one question that, if asked, will steer you away from applicants you may not want to select. I always advise the managers I service to ask the immediate and previous supervisors, "Would you hire this person again?" The answer to that question speaks volumes.
References
Department of the Air Force
Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:19 AM
Post Reply
In today's world checking references is, in most instances, not worth the time. Many persons listed as references are reluctant to given an opinion and most employers will not provide information or even answer such requests. Even information from other Federal agencies is often not useful - how many times has an agency "settled" a firing case by agreeing to let the employee resign and issuing a clean SF-50. Agencies who use references to detemine suitability are asking for trouble. And to the HR Staffer who advices his/her managers to ask previous supervisors if they would hire the person - you have to be kidding. Why would a supervisor place herself/himself in such a position. The advice should be to look at the official employment/performance record - like it or not that is what must be used and will stand third party reviews.
Reference Checks
Federal Government
Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:22 PM
Post Reply
My all time favorite is "You would be very lucky if you could get this person to work for you"
"nuff said" -
References are invaluable and the author makes very good points - any supervisor who does NOT do checks gets what he/she deserves - and the checks should go beyond the references the applicant lists if possible.