What would you do?

[Klunick]

I have lost sleep the last two days over this so I would love to know how others feel. I got a conditional job offer and received a preliminary background packet to fill out. In this packet, they are asking for names of neighbors, family, and co-workers as references. But they are also asking for references for my references. WTH??? I have never heard of that before. They basically want to do a background check on my references. I don't feel comfortable with this as I don't feel it is necessary or even ethical.

The job is with a small County's Sheriff's Office but the information they are asking for seems like they think they are the FBI or something. I have never heard of a prospective job asking this of their candidate. I feel like I should turn down the conditional offer over it. If they are being this nosey before I am hired, it makes feel like this type of behavior will continue after I am hired.

What would you do??

[frugal-one]

Tell them you don’t know. That only your references could supply that information.…. ludicrous! Don’t turn the job down. If they want to proceed further they will (whether you know it or like it).

[iris lilies]

I think frugal-one has the right answer. And I wonder if they will actually follow up with the references of your reference. Someone has a lot of time on their hands if they do that.

but that said, it is comforting to know a local law enforcement agency is taking that kind of care about who they hire to handle sensitive and important legal materials.

[Tybee]

I think I would ask for clarification on the process itself, say that this is something you have not been asked before in background checks, and see how they respond. See how their answer makes you feel, and then proceed from there, depending on how you feel about how they react.

Personally, as someone who will be 70 very soon, I would conclude it is not someplace I want to work, but maybe their explanation would sway me.

[Rogar]

I think I would tell them that asking for references on friends or family is a violation of their privacy and against your principals, and just see what happens. That's what I would do.

[iris lilies]

I think I would tell them that asking for references on friends or family is a violation of their privacy and against your principals, and just see what happens. That's what I would do.

I would not put myself in an adversarial position with my potential employer by challenging them on the legality or moral correctness of what they ask.


The simplest answer is the best. “ I don’t know any references of references” because you probably do not know any. Sure you could strain your brain or do some research and find out, but don’t bother.

the employer could come back with more explanation that makes some sense.

[happystuff]

I agree with what others said about saying you don't know any references for your references - except for yourself! That YOU are the reference for your references, otherwise you would never has listed them as such.

On a side note, it's always nice to let the person/people know that you have listed them as references so they aren't surprised by any calls.

[early morning]

When I started my county job in 2000, I had 2 background checks and was told that furthers checks would be run on my references, but I was not asked to provide information. I assumed it was a formality, a "run them thru the database thing. None of my references were contacted personally in that instance. Background checks were not done on my immediate family members. OTOH, my SIL's mother's husband (long story there) got a job at a local Catholic university that had some programs partially funded by the DOD (I have no idea how that worked!) and both my husband and myself were vetted/had background checks. This was in the late 1970s. So I don't think it's a new thing, to check beyond individuals for security purposes. Klunik, did you HAVE to list family as references? I wasn't clear on that. Are they doing background checks on your entire family? I like happystuff's response - YOU are the references for your references!

[Klunick]

I am not planning on listing any references for my references as others have stated, I have no idea. As far as family is concerned, they don't want them listed as references because of course they will say you are great for the job. They wanted their names amd/or maiden names, their address, date of birth, and names of their neighbors. I feel that there is no reason to ask for my parent's addresses or date of birth unless they plan on "checking" themed out too. And who cares who their neighbors are???

Applying for the job subjected me to a background check but not family and neighbors and co-workers. Also that isn't the only intrusive sounding questions they want to know. Things just seem suspicious. I have worked for a Police Department for over 30 years in a lot larger city and they don't get that nosey as this small town Sheriff's Office is getting.

I plan on just putting what I feel comfortable and if they say it's not enough, they can reject me.

[Tybee]

that sounds like a very good way to handle it, and I agree it's odd and it wouldn't make me want to work there.