References, whilst still employed?

[audi321]

I'm going to start a new job soon, but haven't resigned from my old one yet. If my new employer sends a refernce request into my current employers HR dept, what will they do with it? Will they send one?

My thoughts are that references simply confirmed start and end dates and not much more, so if they do send a reference back, how can they confirm the end date?

What else do they say on a reference?

[T89 Callan]

In this sort of situation (were I have been looking/applying/signing for a new job while still employed) I have just asked the recruiter/new employer to excercise discretion until notice has been given and they have always understood the situation.

[audi321]

I've told the new company to go ahead (I have nothing to hide) and ask for a reference from current company (It'll speed up my job offer). I was just interested as to what it'll say about not yet resigned