Glossary > Employment Law > Employee Privacy > Background Checks

Reference Check

A reference check is when a potential employer contacts a job applicant's previous employers, colleagues, or other references to gather information about the applicant's work history, performance, and character.

Example #1

For example, if Sarah applies for a job at Company X, the hiring manager might call Sarah's previous supervisors at Company Y to ask about her work ethic and skills.

Example #2

Another example is when John lists his former coworker, Lisa, as a reference for a job he's applying for, and the hiring team emails Lisa to inquire about John's teamwork abilities.

Misuse

Misuse of reference checks can occur when personal information about the applicant is shared without consent or when inaccurate or unfair information leads to the applicant being unfairly judged or passed over for a job. It's crucial to protect against misuse to ensure that any information obtained is relevant, accurate, and fair to the applicant.

Benefits

One benefit of reference checks is that they can provide valuable insights into an applicant's work history, skills, and character, helping employers make informed hiring decisions. By verifying information provided by the applicant, reference checks can help employers assess the applicant's suitability for the job.

Conclusion

Reference checks play a crucial role in the hiring process by allowing employers to verify information provided by applicants and gain additional insights to make informed decisions. It's essential to conduct reference checks responsibly, ensuring the information gathered is accurate, fair, and relevant to the job at hand.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024