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Reference Checking: When You’re the One Being Asked for a Reference

Providing Reference Check Information

Human Resources Specialist
DECA
Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:11 PM

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Adverse action settlement agreements oftentimes contain language stipulating/restricting what information the Agency may provide. If an employee has been removed for cause and there is a settlement agreement, how should the reference provider respond without implying or leaving an impression of protected adverse issues?

reference checks

HR specialist
retired
Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:16 PM

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Regardless of what this article maintains (and I agree with most of it), trying to get references from private sector employers is next to impossible. I always encouraged federal managers to be honest, but it was always very frustrating for them when their calls for references were either not returned or produced pat phrases about company policy. That's when the importance of the probationary period gained recognition!

Re: reference checks

Research Psychologist
MSPB
Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:32 PM

I agree that it can be challenging to obtain useful "official" references from private sector organizations.

While supervisors and performance records are the 'gold standard' of reliable reference checking, less official channels can be useful when official channels are blocked. Some of the sources MSPB reviewed when researching the Reference Checking report recommended strategies to get around this problem.

One was "chaining" references--asking each reference provider you contact to provide the names and numbers of others who have worked with the applicant--not just as supervisors. These others, not constrained by an official role as a supervisor, will often provide useful information.

Another suggested technique was to ask a number of factual or noncontroversial questions just to get the reference provider talking and to increase their comfort level and commitment to the discussion. They will then often end up answering your questions, even if they initially refuse.