Developing an employment reference policy

Developing an employment reference policy that makes sense – Employment references present a difficult dilemma for organisations. Some wish to provide glowing references to deserving employees – or to those who they would rather see employed elsewhere. Others may wish to address every real or perceived flaw in an employee’s performance. Favourable, unfavourable and neutral references can all carry risks. Companies struggle with developing and enforcing policies designed to both limit the risk inherent to employee references and still permit reasonably candid references.