Giivng reference of colleague as opposed to direct manager

[Z064life]

Hi,


Is there any harm in giving a reference to an employer of someone I work with, as opposed to my direct manager?


Thanks

[rog007]

Can you amplify your situation and question to help frame a helpful answer?

[Capita]

It all depends if the person providing the reference meets the criteria set out in any application process/prospective company specification.

I have recently moved jobs/industry, the person I got to provide my original reference is a director of the company, a senior member of staff & directly above me, and they met the criteria of knowing me/my work in excess of the 3 years specified. As all company communications are monitored, my past company therefore knew he had provided a reference for me and duly set out phoning the HR dept of the place I applied at to tell them that in no way can they accept the reference provided because he wasn't 'authorised' to provide a reference for me, and also hauled him into a disciplinary citing gross misconduct for providing the reference, which resulted in him receiving a written warning for his efforts. This is despite no mention in any company handbook or any reference anywhere whatsoever that managers/senior members of staff can't provide references.

Long story short, check your colleague isn't going to end up getting dropped in it/they meet all the criteria first.

[sooperscoop]

Our place is the same, only HR issues references and then only to confirm your period of employment.

Unless they specifically ask for a reference from a manager, I'd use a colleague.