But while human resource specialists are more sophisticated about employee references, the Documented Reference Check study revealed that in 11 percent of cases, the HR department lacked accurate records for past employees. This inefficiency means that not all of your pay increases and promotions may appear in the record, making you look like a liar. The Documented Reference Check study says 34 percent, or one-third of the time. An additional 36 percent of employers give information beyond dates of employment and title, which suggests that, despite today's common perception that very limited information is revealed by litigation-sensitive employers, only 30 percent of employers stick strictly to dates and titles. About 10 percent, says the reference service study.
Many former supervisors view their differences as purely professional.