Reference Checks

The Hiring Manager is responsible for conducting reference checking after the interviews. You need to obtain two references with one being from their current manager.


THE IMPORTANCE OF VERBAL REFERENCE CHECKING:

Conducting comprehensive reference checks is an essential part of the recruitment process and should be completed after the interview process, and prior to making a verbal or written offer.

Why Reference Check correctly?

  1. It ensures you make Better informed hiring decisions
  2. By conducting reerence checks on candidates you avoid finding out that the candidate has misrepresented themselves in order to obtain a position
  3. Taking additional time to conduct a thorough reference check can mean the difference between hiring the right candidate and losing time and productivity by hiring the wrong one.
  4. The Best indication of future performance is past performance

As part of the Waitematā DHB recruitment process for ALL appointments, it is the Hiring Manager responsibility to ensure a minimum of two verbal reference checks are completed.

NB The requirement for Senior Medical Officer’s is three references.                                                                                                            

It is the applicants responsibility to provide referee details and these should be out-lined on the WDHB application form they complete prior to or at interview.

TOP TIPS

  • Please obtain the applicants permission prior to contracting the references
  • One of the references MUST be from the current manager (whom they report to) of the individual’s current position, or if not currently employed, then from the last position held
  • Where references offered are not current (i.e. more than 2 years old), or exclude the applicant’s current place of work, please contact your Recruitment Consultant for advice
  • Please complete the reference form as thoroughly as possible. These are kept on the successful candidates personal file in payroll.

Information obtained from the nominated referees is confidential to the WDHB and cannot be disclosed to the applicant without the referee’s consent. Once completed make sure these are sent to the Recruitment Centre for filing.

Where possible all references should be obtained verbally over the phone, however there may be occasions due to overseas time differences, where this is not always possible. In these instances it is OK to e-mail reference forms, however where possible, check it is a business e-mail address rather than a personal e-mail address. It is worth noting that most referees won’t put negative comments in writing but may tell you over the phone.

Click here to view an example of a reference check form.

If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to contact your Recruitment Consultant for advice

Things to consider when doing References on current or ex employees of WDHB

  • Where an applicant is a current or former employee of Waitemata DHB they should be advised that it is our policy to consider previous employment history with the organisation when making recruitment decisions.
  • If any issues of concern emerge via the reference check for internal candidates, then prior to any offer being made, the hiring manager MUST discuss them with their manager and receive sign off. Specialist HR advice may be sought.
  • WDHB is of the view that previous employment history within the DHB is directly relevant to the question of suitability for future employment within the same organisation.
  • If an applicant will not provide permission for such enquiries to be made in relation to previous WDHB employment then it may not be possible to take their application further. Specialist HR advice must be sought