Responding to Reference Checks

The September issue of Texas Business Today, the Texas Workforce Commission newsletter, provides practical steps to take when responding to reference checks for former employees.

Employers should have established procedures that ensure only authorized individuals provide reference checks. Some employers limit responses to human resources staff while others allow supervisors to respond. In either situation, HR should provide clear guidance on how to respond appropriately, including:

• Verify the caller’s identity and purpose of the request for information.
• Provide information in written format whenever possible.
• Avoid inflammatory language and provide only truthful information.
• Provide only information relevant to the requested purpose.
• Maintain documentation of the caller and information provided.

Texas Business Today is a provided to employers free of charge. It is distributed by the Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers. To subscribe, sign up on the Texas Workforce Commission website.

For information on conducting reference checks, out the HRX article Best Practices for Checking Pre-Employment References.