I recently started apply for jobs in another state I am trying to move back home closer to family. Interviews went great and the job that I really really really want called me back wanting to do a background check and reference check. They asked for my manager and supervisors contact info because they wanted the references to be someone that I report directly to. So, they email me stating that my nurse manager said that it is against company poicy for her to provide a professional reference!!!! I don't buy this???? is that even possible???? Any thoughts on this or how I should handle it???

PS. - I already provided them with contact info for a nurse that I work with that acts as a resource nurse for new hires and she was mine when I started a few years ago. They also are contacting my supervisor but I am just so upset and embarassed because of my manager.

It's possible, sounds like a human resources policy... did you ask the manager, supervisor and resource nurse if they are willing to provide references before you gave their contact information?

Lots of places have a company policy that only HR can give references. Don't feel she's "against" you because of this!

Going through the same thing-I too was shocked and upset! But yep, they have them go through HR!! HR did send me a form to sign (companies are covering themselves, something about not wanting to get sued if someone says they didn't get a job due to the reference given I believe), so that my previous direct mgr could give a more complete reference. I would go directly to HR and ask what can be done in order for a full reference to be given. Good Luck!

All references for my company have to go via HR it is policy

Did you ask your manager prior to giving our her contact information? If you still work for this place, I would look at their policy manual and/or call HR to ask. As others have said, every workplace has their own policies on situations such as this.

A lot of employers do not allow managers to give references. It's actually quite a common policy. And you should always ask someone if you can give their name and contact information before you give it to anybody.

I recommend getting a copy of your official employee evaluations for the last 2 or 3 years. You can give copies to your prospective employer to show that your previous manager valued you. Use that to supplement any references given by peers or friends.

Ring the manager and ask her why. There may be a good reason that has nothing to do with you. If u didn't work under her directly, only clinical supervising managers you work with can give you a reference.

I'd get it from the horses' mouth.

All references for my company have to go via HR it is policy

My employer has same policy. This protects the manager from saying something detrimental/illegal that can be used against the employer for wrongful termination suit

Yearly, I encourage my staff to make a copy of yearly eval as permitted by employer which is the best judge of overall performance.

Before you list anyone for references, make sure to ask them first. That's always the rule, to avoid these situations.

I ran into this a few years ago as well with a couple of former supervisors that I had worked with at a particular job. They told me that they were not allowed to provide references for me, that it all had to go through HR.

It was puzzling; I didn't understand how any HR department could enforce this policy. If a supervisor wanted to provide a personal, professional reference for a former employee, how could they stop them? I guess if SOMEHOW the HR department found out, the person could be fired.

I think they just didn't want to be bothered with it. I mean, I'm sure they weren't lying about the policy, but if they had really wanted to help me... no one can stop them from having someone call them at HOME so that they can provide a reference.

Every place on earth says to go through HR. If I have asked and they have said no it was because they didn't want to give me a good reference. If I have asked and they have said yes it was glowing.

I think as NRSKaren said it is to protect both the employee and the manager. I kind of like the generic ones from HR it means everybody gets the same reference. Rather than a manager favoring one person over the other. We have all worked for managers who have their favorites, managers who listen to gossip, managers who just dont like you.