Give an employment reference in a few minutes.
If an employer has asked you for a reference through RefAssure, open the secure link in your email or text. No account, no password, any device.
What is an employment reference?
An employment reference, or job reference, is a short account from someone who knows a candidate's work, usually a former manager. It normally confirms dates of employment and job title, and may cover duties, performance, reliability and whether they would re-employ the person. Employers use references to check what a candidate has told them before confirming a job offer.
How to complete your reference
Open your link
Use the secure link in the email or text you received. It is unique to you and the candidate.
Answer the questions
Ratings, yes or no, dates and a few short comments. Most take a few minutes.
Sign and submit
Add your signature on screen and submit. The employer is notified straight away.
That is it
Once you submit, the reminders stop. You do not need to do anything else.
What a job reference usually covers
- Dates of employment and job title
- Main duties and responsibilities
- Performance, reliability and timekeeping
- Reason for leaving
- Conduct, including any disciplinary action, and safeguarding questions for roles with children or vulnerable adults
- Whether you would re-employ the person
References should be true, accurate and fair. Only answer what you know, and leave out anything you cannot confirm. Acas has clear guidance on what employers can and cannot say in a reference.
For candidates
If you have named a referee, here is what happens next.
You give consent first
The employer asks for your consent online before anyone contacts your referees.
Referees get reminders
If a referee forgets, RefAssure reminds them, so your start date is less likely to slip.
Check their email address
Double check your referees' work email addresses. A wrong address is the most common cause of delay.
Reference questions
More in the full FAQs.
Do I need an account to give a reference?
No. Open the secure link you were sent and complete the form on any device. There is nothing to sign up for.
My link has expired or does not work. What should I do?
Reply to the email you received or contact the employer who asked for the reference, and they can resend it. You can also contact us.
Can an employer give a bad reference?
A reference must be true, accurate and fair. It can include negative information if it is factual and fair. Read more in our FAQs.
Will the candidate see my reference?
The employer receives your reference. Under UK GDPR there are some exemptions for confidential references, but you should always write as if the candidate could read it.
Why am I getting reminders?
The employer uses RefAssure to send polite reminders until the reference is complete. They stop as soon as you submit.
Related guides
Hiring? Let RefAssure do the chasing.
Your first reference is free. Two minutes to send, and RefAssure does the rest.