Today, employers are hesitant to give information about previous employees for fear of being sued. Therefore, many employers only confirm dates of employment and positions held. The best defense against charges of negligent hiring is complete reference checks. Former co-workers or subordinates. Customers, clients, or anyone else who has conducted business with the applicant.
Personal references are probably the weakest source.
An employer, however, may gain some information from personal references. In the case of an applicant who is working or has worked for another state agency, the personnel file is an open record and may be reviewed. The most effective means for gathering reference information is the telephone. Even though many employers give limited information, it s worth it to try to make a phone contact. Telephone reference checks make it possible for you to listen to the tone of voice and voice inflections and to encourage the reference to talk.