References upfront threaten employment status quo

[peterblueblue]

Our procedure demands references immediately, before short listing. You must provide them. But, this will involve at least one key manager of my current employer, make me look disloyal or unreliable and threaten my continuing employment or contract! You must provide references now or drop out. So the debate goes. Discontinue this practice please. Have some sense and sensibility.

[Moz]

I agree wholeheartedly, it's absurd to ask for references up front. References should only be sought when an individual or possibly two have are on the short shortlist.

It's common to see "references available on request" on an applicants resume and even then I would not expect the candidate to give their current boss as a referee.

I had one client who demanded a reference from an applicant's boss. The applicant reluctantly agreed, then after the reference had been obtained the hire was vetoed by a more senior manager. This left the applicant in a very awkward situation with his current employer.