
Do I have to give references?
Yes. An employer is perfectly in line when asking for a reference or three, and is in fact encouraged to do so, so as to avoid negligent hiring. For instance, if an employer did not properly check references and ultimately hired an employee who was dangerous to the company (i.e., harmed a co-worker), the employer could be held liable for negligent hiring. Moreover, checking references is just smart business, ensuring that an applicant is qualified for the position and that his or her skills match up to information learned during the interview and application process.