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Can a company force you to use a specific person as a reference in the UK? [closed]
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I just left a small start up company and before I left I asked one of my coworkers if they'd be willing to provide a reference for me when I'm applying for future jobs. The answer this person gave me was that I had to use the CEO as a reference. I'm not really sure the CEO would give a very accurate reference since I barely spoke to this person during my time at the company. The CEO likely also doesn't know what work I did since I never discussed with them what I was working on. I really think that using the person I originally asked for as a reference would provide a far better and more accurate reference but it seems like I'm not able to do this. I always thought that you had free will over who you chose as a reference, can they force me to use this manager as a reference?
recruitment applications references
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
closed as off-topic by Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey Sep 19 '14 at 22:57
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey
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I just left a small start up company and before I left I asked one of my coworkers if they'd be willing to provide a reference for me when I'm applying for future jobs. The answer this person gave me was that I had to use the CEO as a reference. I'm not really sure the CEO would give a very accurate reference since I barely spoke to this person during my time at the company. The CEO likely also doesn't know what work I did since I never discussed with them what I was working on. I really think that using the person I originally asked for as a reference would provide a far better and more accurate reference but it seems like I'm not able to do this. I always thought that you had free will over who you chose as a reference, can they force me to use this manager as a reference?
recruitment applications references
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
closed as off-topic by Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey Sep 19 '14 at 22:57
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
2
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10
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I just left a small start up company and before I left I asked one of my coworkers if they'd be willing to provide a reference for me when I'm applying for future jobs. The answer this person gave me was that I had to use the CEO as a reference. I'm not really sure the CEO would give a very accurate reference since I barely spoke to this person during my time at the company. The CEO likely also doesn't know what work I did since I never discussed with them what I was working on. I really think that using the person I originally asked for as a reference would provide a far better and more accurate reference but it seems like I'm not able to do this. I always thought that you had free will over who you chose as a reference, can they force me to use this manager as a reference?
recruitment applications references
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
I just left a small start up company and before I left I asked one of my coworkers if they'd be willing to provide a reference for me when I'm applying for future jobs. The answer this person gave me was that I had to use the CEO as a reference. I'm not really sure the CEO would give a very accurate reference since I barely spoke to this person during my time at the company. The CEO likely also doesn't know what work I did since I never discussed with them what I was working on. I really think that using the person I originally asked for as a reference would provide a far better and more accurate reference but it seems like I'm not able to do this. I always thought that you had free will over who you chose as a reference, can they force me to use this manager as a reference?
recruitment applications references
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
edited Sep 17 '14 at 1:39
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
asked Sep 17 '14 at 1:32
Greg Arnold
1
1
closed as off-topic by Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey Sep 19 '14 at 22:57
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey
closed as off-topic by Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey Sep 19 '14 at 22:57
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jan Doggen, gnat, Garrison Neely, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Michael Grubey
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
2
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10
 |Â
show 3 more comments
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
2
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
2
2
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10
 |Â
show 3 more comments
2 Answers
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3
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Short answer is yes - nobody in the company is under any obligation to give you a reference and many larger companies insist on a deferral to HR. Often, they'll only confirm dates.
That said, I'd ask around a little and see if you can find someone more willing to give a personal reference.
It also has to be said that references have become little more than a formality now and are normally conducted at the last stages of recruitment to ensure that your CV was at least truthful about the where, when and what your job title was.
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
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Yes, you do have free will with respect to who you ask for a reference. But the company also has the right to decide who speaks on their behalf, and that supercedes your right to ask. If the company is linked in any way to the reference, than the person providing the reference is speaking as a representative of the company, whether they intended to or not.
You can check to confirm if that really is the policy, but I'm not sure what you will gain. If it is the policy, you are stuck with the CEO (who you don't want) and if it is not, then what does that say about your relationship with the person you asked?
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Short answer is yes - nobody in the company is under any obligation to give you a reference and many larger companies insist on a deferral to HR. Often, they'll only confirm dates.
That said, I'd ask around a little and see if you can find someone more willing to give a personal reference.
It also has to be said that references have become little more than a formality now and are normally conducted at the last stages of recruitment to ensure that your CV was at least truthful about the where, when and what your job title was.
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Short answer is yes - nobody in the company is under any obligation to give you a reference and many larger companies insist on a deferral to HR. Often, they'll only confirm dates.
That said, I'd ask around a little and see if you can find someone more willing to give a personal reference.
It also has to be said that references have become little more than a formality now and are normally conducted at the last stages of recruitment to ensure that your CV was at least truthful about the where, when and what your job title was.
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Short answer is yes - nobody in the company is under any obligation to give you a reference and many larger companies insist on a deferral to HR. Often, they'll only confirm dates.
That said, I'd ask around a little and see if you can find someone more willing to give a personal reference.
It also has to be said that references have become little more than a formality now and are normally conducted at the last stages of recruitment to ensure that your CV was at least truthful about the where, when and what your job title was.
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
Short answer is yes - nobody in the company is under any obligation to give you a reference and many larger companies insist on a deferral to HR. Often, they'll only confirm dates.
That said, I'd ask around a little and see if you can find someone more willing to give a personal reference.
It also has to be said that references have become little more than a formality now and are normally conducted at the last stages of recruitment to ensure that your CV was at least truthful about the where, when and what your job title was.
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
answered Sep 17 '14 at 7:58
Dan
8,74133636
8,74133636
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
suggest improvements |Â
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
Utterly agree with the statement about the value of a reference becoming less and less. The last 3 reference requests I received from hiring companies for former staff only asked for confirmation of employment and dates. I kicked these straight to HR for a response.
– Clair
Sep 17 '14 at 9:30
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
It's also worth noting some companies started requesting "official" references. (Basically that your reference is on formal letter head or other means of confirming the source) which is a wasteful exercise since a two minute call to HR will get you the same information.
– RualStorge
Sep 17 '14 at 18:29
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, you do have free will with respect to who you ask for a reference. But the company also has the right to decide who speaks on their behalf, and that supercedes your right to ask. If the company is linked in any way to the reference, than the person providing the reference is speaking as a representative of the company, whether they intended to or not.
You can check to confirm if that really is the policy, but I'm not sure what you will gain. If it is the policy, you are stuck with the CEO (who you don't want) and if it is not, then what does that say about your relationship with the person you asked?
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, you do have free will with respect to who you ask for a reference. But the company also has the right to decide who speaks on their behalf, and that supercedes your right to ask. If the company is linked in any way to the reference, than the person providing the reference is speaking as a representative of the company, whether they intended to or not.
You can check to confirm if that really is the policy, but I'm not sure what you will gain. If it is the policy, you are stuck with the CEO (who you don't want) and if it is not, then what does that say about your relationship with the person you asked?
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Yes, you do have free will with respect to who you ask for a reference. But the company also has the right to decide who speaks on their behalf, and that supercedes your right to ask. If the company is linked in any way to the reference, than the person providing the reference is speaking as a representative of the company, whether they intended to or not.
You can check to confirm if that really is the policy, but I'm not sure what you will gain. If it is the policy, you are stuck with the CEO (who you don't want) and if it is not, then what does that say about your relationship with the person you asked?
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
Yes, you do have free will with respect to who you ask for a reference. But the company also has the right to decide who speaks on their behalf, and that supercedes your right to ask. If the company is linked in any way to the reference, than the person providing the reference is speaking as a representative of the company, whether they intended to or not.
You can check to confirm if that really is the policy, but I'm not sure what you will gain. If it is the policy, you are stuck with the CEO (who you don't want) and if it is not, then what does that say about your relationship with the person you asked?
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
answered Sep 17 '14 at 17:16
cdkMoose
9,29822042
9,29822042
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
Can they force you to use this manager as a reference? They are not forcing you, because you have the option of not using the manager as your reference. Of course, this means that you're getting nobody as a reference but that's your problem.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Sep 17 '14 at 2:02
2
If your friend isn't willing to serve as a reference -- due to their understanding of company policy or any other reason -- you can't force them to do so. You might want to check with someone else to find out if that really is the policy -- or you might not want to check, since if you discover that it isn't the policy but your friend still declines that might cost you a friendship.
– keshlam
Sep 17 '14 at 2:08
Maybe your colleague was just trying not be rude and save your feelings by not saying "no". Thus a polite alternative to no is saying I can't.
– Martin York
Sep 17 '14 at 2:18
Could be the company is trying to control who speaks for the company - this situation is a bit unusual, but not unheard of.
– HorusKol
Sep 17 '14 at 3:21
It's not clear who you think the 'they' in your last sentence is. Yes you are free to choose who to use as a reference - but only if your chosen person agrees!
– AakashM
Sep 17 '14 at 8:10