The WRC recommended changes to a company’s recruitment process and funding of up to €3,000 for a security officer’s career training after finding no basis for treating anonymous references as fair. Adjudication Officer Catherine Byrne dated the recommendation 20 March 2023.
The worker said anonymous references affected her unsuccessful application for a team supervisor role. The company said its process was fair and that it had updated its policy to tell candidates that references would be sought.
The officer found that serious criticism in an anonymous reference had not been checked or put to the worker. She recommended that internal candidates nominate referees, references be provided in writing and candidates receive copies. She declined a compensation request, saying it would not undo the hurt caused.
The company was also recommended to fund a professional or external training course of the worker’s choice, up to €3,000.