Reference Checking

Satisfactory reference checks are a condition of employment for new employees and transfers hired at the University. The signed application form authorizes the University to request information pertinent to the candidate's employment and education. Even if the applicant indicates on the application form that the current employer should not be contacted, the hiring supervisor advises the applicant that contact for a reference will be made if he/she is selected for a job offer. The "Reference Check" form is an optional form for documenting reference checks.

Hiring departments are required to conduct reference checks on the selected candidate and to comply with the following guidelines when conducting reference checks. The department must:

• Confidentially maintain pre-employment reference data (N.C. General Statute 126, Article 7).
• Ask only job-related questions and avoid questions about any individual's race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or any other matter not directly related to the requirements of the position to be filled.
• Coordinate closely with the applicant before making any reference check with his/her present employer.
• As feasible, do a reference check directly with the applicant's immediate supervisor.
• Ask the same questions about each applicant for whom references are checked.
• Document the name of the telephone reference source and the date of the contact.

Some organizations only verify employment dates and job title and/or will only verify in response to a written request. The reference check form is designed for either telephone or mail use.

The hiring supervisor may request a copy of the last performance appraisal of any UNC-Chapel Hill internal transfer applicant from the applicant's supervisor. This request must be honored.

The hiring supervisor may also directly contact the applicant's current supervisor (or supervisor from previous University employment). Contacted supervisors are required to provide direct, honest evaluations of the applicant's work performance to other University hiring departments.

Departments are not required to provide reference information for current or former employees seeking employment outside the University. Generally, inquiries regarding references should be limited to verifying requested information. Certain information is designated as public and it may be provided legally to anyone. However, other information is considered confidential and may only be shared with those authorized to obtain it.

Requests for employment verifications (other than reference information) should be directed to the HR Records & Information Department.