Current employer's reference

[AlbaNuadh]

I'm hoping someone can advise me as to whether or not this is standard practice and if there is any way around it.

My partner has received his PR but we have not yet moved to Canada (did a soft landing last year).
He has had a Skype interview with local government for a role. They are aware of our situation - still living in the UK but willing to move ASAP if a job has been found.

They asked for references before Christmas which my partner has given them and explained that in the UK it is standard to give a 'corporate reference' which will just confirm his job title and how many years he had worked there. He also offered a personal reference if required. He also advised that it usually does take some time for the references to come back.

They have said that out of the three he gave them only one has come back so far and that they will now require a reference from his current employer in order to progress his application. He is obviously a bit wary of doing this without a job offer because his employer doesn't yet know that he is looking to leave and move abroad. It seems it would also put him in a tricky situation with negotiating start dates and salary as well.

Is this standard practice in Canada? If so is there any way around is? He is under the impression they are being a little aggressive (tone of email?) and have not read his email to them. I am under the impression things are getting lost in translation a little (when he says things will take a long time maybe they are not anticipating just how long for instance.)

Any advice here would be appreciated.

 

[scylla]

I'm hoping someone can advise me as to whether or not this is standard practice and if there is any way around it.

My partner has received his PR but we have not yet moved to Canada (did a soft landing last year).
He has had a Skype interview with local government for a role. They are aware of our situation - still living in the UK but willing to move ASAP if a job has been found.

They asked for references before Christmas which my partner has given them and explained that in the UK it is standard to give a 'corporate reference' which will just confirm his job title and how many years he had worked there. He also offered a personal reference if required. He also advised that it usually does take some time for the references to come back.

They have said that out of the three he gave them only one has come back so far and that they will now require a reference from his current employer in order to progress his application. He is obviously a bit wary of doing this without a job offer because his employer doesn't yet know that he is looking to leave and move abroad. It seems it would also put him in a tricky situation with negotiating start dates and salary as well.

Is this standard practice in Canada? If so is there any way around is? He is under the impression they are being a little aggressive (tone of email?) and have not read his email to them. I am under the impression things are getting lost in translation a little (when he says things will take a long time maybe they are not anticipating just how long for instance.)

Any advice here would be appreciated.

It's standard practice to ask for references. They don't have to be from your current employer - in fact, usually they are not.

The issue here is that two of the three references your husband provided haven't responded. This is why they are asking for more and want to hear from his current employer. Obviously they want to be sure of him as a candidate before they move forward.

I think you don't fully appreciate the employer's position and this may give you insights into what you are experiencing/feeling. I think the aggressive tone you are feeling is actually frustration (at least I would be extremely frustrated as the employer). The employer is probably confused about why the references haven't responses and this has raised concerns / questions about your husband's candidacy. That also may indicate your husband hasn't probably prepped the references and notified them they will be contacted - or perhaps indicates these references aren't willing to professionally vouch for your husband. They fact the employer is speaking to references means they have narrowed down the selection process to your husband. Now - they are having trouble getting through the reference stage because the references aren't responding. This is frustrating for them because they have effectively selected your husband (and already possibly notified other candidates they are out of the running) and are now running into issues confirming him as their candidate. They are pressing this to move quickly - because if your husband's references don't pan out - then they have wasted a ton of time and have to go with another candidate which will take additional time. All of this is extraordinarily frustrating when you are on the other end and trying to get a good candidate hired.

Why haven't 2 out of 3 references responded? Did your husband reach out to his references in advance to let them know they would be contacted and did they agree to speak on his behalf? Is there any reason why these references may not be willing to speak on your husband's behalf?

 

[AlbaNuadh]

It's standard practice to ask for references. They don't have to be from your current employer - in fact, usually they are not.

The issue here is that two of the three references your husband provided haven't responded. This is why they are asking for more and want to hear from his current employer. Obviously they want to be sure of him as a candidate before they move forward.

I think you don't fully appreciate the employer's position and this may give you insights into what you are experiencing/feeling. I think the aggressive tone you are feeling is actually frustration (at least I would be extremely frustrated as the employer). The employer is probably confused about why the references haven't responses and this has raised concerns / questions about your husband's candidacy. That also may indicate your husband hasn't probably prepped the references and notified them they will be contacted - or perhaps indicates these references aren't willing to professionally vouch for your husband. They fact the employer is speaking to references means they have narrowed down the selection process to your husband. Now - they are having trouble getting through the reference stage because the references aren't responding. This is frustrating for them because they have effectively selected your husband (and already possibly notified other candidates they are out of the running) and are now running into issues confirming him as their candidate. They are pressing this to move quickly - because if your husband's references don't pan out - then they have wasted a ton of time and have to go with another candidate which will take additional time. All of this is extraordinarily frustrating when you are on the other end and trying to get a good candidate hired.

Why haven't 2 out of 3 references responded? Did your husband reach out to his references in advance to let them know they would be contacted and did they agree to speak on his behalf? Is there any reason why these references may not be willing to speak on your husband's behalf?

Thanks for your response, it makes things a little clearer.
I think things have been 'lost in translation' a little on our end and the recruiter's end.
When references are given over here it's part of the whole recruitment process, not necessarily part of the final decision making process. References are 'corporate' which means they basically go to Human Resources and all they can do is say 'yes this person worked for this company in this job title'. They are strictly not allowed to 'vouch' for you as an employee - for that you would need to ask for a personal reference (which my husband offered but it wasn't taken up). It is not unusual for references to take more than two- three weeks to come back.

After reading your post it makes sense that they might feel a little nervous about the whole situation. I really find it interesting that they require your current employer's reference before offering you a job. Do you need to give your manager's details or can it be a co-worker?
What if you then don't get the job offer and you're left with your employer knowing that you're actively trying to leave?