Why would employers prohibit employees from being referees to each other?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I just realized my employee agreement (which I signed several years ago) has a clause that prohibits me from being a referee for another employee at the firm. The clause does not distinguish between personal references and work-related ones. The effect of the clause is such, that it does not allow people in supervisory or team-leader roles to act as referees for their subordinates; it doesn't say if current employees can be references for former employees.
The employer recently reminded another employee (not me) that it was their policy that only they are not allowed to act as referees or issue written references for former employees. This seems utterly unreasonable to me, and I was tempted to bring up how unreasonable I thought it was. However, I'm baffled as to why any employer would want to stipulate this in an employee agreement.
Is there a perspective to this I'm missing? What is the motivation for it?
references australia
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I just realized my employee agreement (which I signed several years ago) has a clause that prohibits me from being a referee for another employee at the firm. The clause does not distinguish between personal references and work-related ones. The effect of the clause is such, that it does not allow people in supervisory or team-leader roles to act as referees for their subordinates; it doesn't say if current employees can be references for former employees.
The employer recently reminded another employee (not me) that it was their policy that only they are not allowed to act as referees or issue written references for former employees. This seems utterly unreasonable to me, and I was tempted to bring up how unreasonable I thought it was. However, I'm baffled as to why any employer would want to stipulate this in an employee agreement.
Is there a perspective to this I'm missing? What is the motivation for it?
references australia
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
5
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
2
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
1
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I just realized my employee agreement (which I signed several years ago) has a clause that prohibits me from being a referee for another employee at the firm. The clause does not distinguish between personal references and work-related ones. The effect of the clause is such, that it does not allow people in supervisory or team-leader roles to act as referees for their subordinates; it doesn't say if current employees can be references for former employees.
The employer recently reminded another employee (not me) that it was their policy that only they are not allowed to act as referees or issue written references for former employees. This seems utterly unreasonable to me, and I was tempted to bring up how unreasonable I thought it was. However, I'm baffled as to why any employer would want to stipulate this in an employee agreement.
Is there a perspective to this I'm missing? What is the motivation for it?
references australia
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I just realized my employee agreement (which I signed several years ago) has a clause that prohibits me from being a referee for another employee at the firm. The clause does not distinguish between personal references and work-related ones. The effect of the clause is such, that it does not allow people in supervisory or team-leader roles to act as referees for their subordinates; it doesn't say if current employees can be references for former employees.
The employer recently reminded another employee (not me) that it was their policy that only they are not allowed to act as referees or issue written references for former employees. This seems utterly unreasonable to me, and I was tempted to bring up how unreasonable I thought it was. However, I'm baffled as to why any employer would want to stipulate this in an employee agreement.
Is there a perspective to this I'm missing? What is the motivation for it?
references australia
references australia
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
edited yesterday
Mawg
3,76411034
3,76411034
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
asked Nov 23 at 9:07
mamift
391
391
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
mamift is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
5
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
2
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
1
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56
add a comment |
3
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
5
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
2
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
1
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56
3
3
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
5
5
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
2
2
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
1
1
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
10
down vote
They likely have a neutral referral policy and do not want employees to give referrals acting on behalf of the company.
It would be very difficult for the clause to hold for personal referrals, if they are not phrased as a referral from the company and it is highly unlikely they would pursue personal referrals.
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
It's a risk reduction exercise for the company. They do not want their employees giving inappropriate references - ones that may be factually incorrect, libelous or whatever.
If a former employee is asked for a reference, and they give the name of a current employee as the person to contact, then it will look to the new employer that they are receiving a reference from the old employer.
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
10
down vote
They likely have a neutral referral policy and do not want employees to give referrals acting on behalf of the company.
It would be very difficult for the clause to hold for personal referrals, if they are not phrased as a referral from the company and it is highly unlikely they would pursue personal referrals.
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
They likely have a neutral referral policy and do not want employees to give referrals acting on behalf of the company.
It would be very difficult for the clause to hold for personal referrals, if they are not phrased as a referral from the company and it is highly unlikely they would pursue personal referrals.
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
They likely have a neutral referral policy and do not want employees to give referrals acting on behalf of the company.
It would be very difficult for the clause to hold for personal referrals, if they are not phrased as a referral from the company and it is highly unlikely they would pursue personal referrals.
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
They likely have a neutral referral policy and do not want employees to give referrals acting on behalf of the company.
It would be very difficult for the clause to hold for personal referrals, if they are not phrased as a referral from the company and it is highly unlikely they would pursue personal referrals.
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
answered Nov 23 at 9:14
Victor S
89114
89114
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
It's a risk reduction exercise for the company. They do not want their employees giving inappropriate references - ones that may be factually incorrect, libelous or whatever.
If a former employee is asked for a reference, and they give the name of a current employee as the person to contact, then it will look to the new employer that they are receiving a reference from the old employer.
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
It's a risk reduction exercise for the company. They do not want their employees giving inappropriate references - ones that may be factually incorrect, libelous or whatever.
If a former employee is asked for a reference, and they give the name of a current employee as the person to contact, then it will look to the new employer that they are receiving a reference from the old employer.
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
It's a risk reduction exercise for the company. They do not want their employees giving inappropriate references - ones that may be factually incorrect, libelous or whatever.
If a former employee is asked for a reference, and they give the name of a current employee as the person to contact, then it will look to the new employer that they are receiving a reference from the old employer.
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
It's a risk reduction exercise for the company. They do not want their employees giving inappropriate references - ones that may be factually incorrect, libelous or whatever.
If a former employee is asked for a reference, and they give the name of a current employee as the person to contact, then it will look to the new employer that they are receiving a reference from the old employer.
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
answered Nov 23 at 22:04
Simon B
2,8312816
2,8312816
add a comment |
add a comment |
mamift is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
mamift is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
mamift is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
mamift is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f123300%2fwhy-would-employers-prohibit-employees-from-being-referees-to-each-other%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
3
In an old company of mine all referrals had to go through HR. Maybe your place has a similar policy
– rath
Nov 23 at 10:46
5
"What is the motivation for it?" Making it harder to leave.
– pmf
Nov 23 at 12:20
2
Which country is this?
– Jim G.
Nov 23 at 12:40
1
Country is Australia.
– mamift
Nov 24 at 4:56