Acas has launched new guidance for employers and employees on job references based on their advice around the typical questions that they receive on their helpline. The guidance highlights that there is usually no legal obligation to provide a reference, employers who give references must make them fair and accurate and employers who ask for references must handle them fairly and consistently. Detailed advice is provided on seven topics including setting out the purpose of a reference, the content of an employment reference and explaining the two types of job offer that can be made – conditional or unconditional – and the status of references in either situation.

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