References upon Request???

Yes, but only my family or close friends. Any only once they have asked me if it was okay. I never use anyone without asking either. It's not right. But it's certainly not an invasion of privacy. As another mom said, all the information they provided is a matter of public record.

Doing this is unrelated to invasion of privacy, which is a legal term. When you say information are you meaning that they give only your name, address, and phone number? If so that is all a matter of public record.

People should always ask before giving a name as a reference. It's common courtesy. To not do so is unprofessional and, in my opinion, quite risky. How would they know that I would give a good reference. I would feel irritated. I would also be honest in giving a reference which might not be as good as it would've been if they'd asked me first.

In many cases your name etc. is on the application because you've been a supervisor. The applicant didn't list it as a reference but as a part of job experience. The company will then contact you.

My response would be different if I knew this was for marketing. I would be very irritated if someone did this to me. I'd have a conversation with them, telling them of my feelings.

I wouldn't feel that it's an invasion of privacy but it's unprofessional for sure. One should never provide a person as a reference without first contacting the reference to ensure that he or she is a) willing to provide a positive reference, b) available to be contacted in the time frame needed and c) knows how to position the reference and what the candidate would like the reference to focus on, what's important for the prospective company or client to hear, etc.

I facilitate references at my firm when we need to provide them for sales bids and we always reach out to our references first and give them a one-pager with info on the prospect, when they can expect to be contacted etc. and allow them to commit to the reference or not. I would do the same if I needed a personal reference for a job, credit, etc.

It's not invasion of privacy, but I prefer that people ask first unless it's someone I'm close to.

I have students that use me without asking sometimes, and sometimes it's really funny. I think to myself, do you remember how many times you were late to my class? Really, do you remember how you behaved, or how low your grades were? It amazes me sometimes that they want to use me as a reference. I still try to be nice - as honest as possible, but nice.

I always ask before using someone as a reference.

It's so not invading your privacy.

Most people do ask before using you as a reference (they do, after all, want you to say positive things), but if they've used you as a reference 10 years ago and needed a new job tomorrow and used you as a reference, that's okay too. If anything, you should be flattered.

It's not like they're signing you up for some spam mail or something, they're just trying to get a job.

No big deal!!

honestly it wouldn't bother me. There are only a few people who would use me like my sister has in the past, my best friend maybe other family members. But, that's about it really. I wouldn't give any a bad reference unless they did something seriously horribly to me, which no one has. When I apply for a job there are only a few that I use regularly and they know who they are.

S.:

No, it's not invading your privacy. They want references so they can call and get a "feel" for who you are.

If it's a credit application - they won't call or maybe they will - but they are used as a skip-trace in case you stop paying your bill and they can and will call to find out how to get a hold of you.

I am fine with using references as I have nothing to hide.

Most people will check first to get your permission to be used as a reference. If you have someone who is just giving out your name and contact info without asking first I'd suggest contacting him/her and requesting that you be a) notified that you are being used as a reference or b) request that they stop using you.

I understand what you are saying regarding the privacy issue after reading your SWH. If you had put that in the original post, I think it would have helped people to understand where you are coming from. I would be really unhappy to get a bunch of telemarketing calls because of this, and I would tell them to put me on their Do Not Call List.

What I am surprised about is that you know who gave out your name. Usually those marketing folks don't share that info.

As far as a job reference is concerned, it is just DUMB, or a complete gamble to use someone as a reference without asking first. What I did as a manager was call all the references of someone I was considering hiring. If the person said that the only thing they could do was say that the person did indeed work for that company, I knew that they were not asked, did not care one wit about the person, or did not think they were a good employee. I usually moved on.

I have never been asked to be a credit reference, so I don't have any experience with that.

Dawn

It depends on what it's for. If it's job application, I don't mind. I do not, however, like it when we are used on a credit application. My SS does this and then when he defaults on payments, guess who gets the calls! They are not trying to collect from us and it isn't affecting our credit, but when you're listed as a reference, they figure you know how to reach the person! Soooo annoying. I have told my SS not to put us on any more applications and when creditors call, I definitely give them a forwarding number. That way he can get his own collection calls; they annoy the sh** out of me!