Allan N. Nash

A hard look at the reference check: Its modest worth can be improved

Abstract How valuable is the widely used reference check in predicting performance on the new job? A number of studies indicate that the value is modest at best. Previous employers may fail to respond to a reference request or be reluctant to return negative statements. A prospective employer can improve the usefulness of the written reference questionnaire by bearing in mind that personal characteristics of the reference giver may affect the validity of his report. Reference givers tend to rate their own sex differently than they rate the opposite sex, raters appear overly harsh on short tenure former employees, and national and racial differences apparently offset the usefulness of the response. The questionnaires usefulness can be improved by incorporating the forced-choice format to cut down on leniency. The response rate is affected by the approach used in requesting cooperation from reference givers.

SOME PERSONAL AND JOB FACTORS RELATED TO REACTIONS TO AN 'AFFIRMATIVE ACTION' PROGRAM BY WHITE AND BLACK FOREMEN.

The article reports on ways in which affirmative action has affected industrial management, personnel management, and industrial organization in the U.S. The author focuses on the elimination of di...