Acknowledgement of reference received letter template
This document is used where the Company wishes to acknowledge receipt of a reference given by another Company or individual, concerning a new joiner.
- 1 page / 176 words.
- Last updated 16/09/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Acknowledgement of reference received letter
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Acknowledgement of Reference: [insert name of applicant]
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the reference that you provided for [Applicant's Name] in support of their application for a position at our company. We received your reference on [Date], and we appreciate the time and effort you put into writing it.
Your reference provided valuable insight into the
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An acknowledgement of reference received from company or individual letter is a formal document that a company or an individual sends to a referee to confirm that their employment reference has been received and is being taken into consideration. The letter typically includes the name of the applicant, the position they have applied for, the name and contact information of the referee, and the date the reference was received.
The purpose of the letter is to express appreciation for the effort and time the referee has taken to provide the reference and to reassure them that the reference will be handled with confidentiality and professionalism. It is also a way for the company or individual to acknowledge the importance of the referee's contribution in the hiring process and to provide a record of receipt of the reference in case any questions arise later on.
Overall, the acknowledgement of reference received from company or individual letter is a professional and courteous way to thank a referee for their support and to ensure that the reference is given proper consideration during the hiring process.
It is usually delivered to the Company / HR by the Employer / HR.
Compliance
Compliance
This Acknowledgement of reference received letter template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
In the UK, there are no specific roles for which an employer is legally required to provide a reference. However, there are certain situations where an employer may have a legal obligation to provide a reference or disclose information about an employee or former employee. These situations include:
- Regulated professions: Employers of regulated professions, such as doctors, nurses, teachers, or solicitors, may be required by their professional regulatory body to provide a reference for their former or current employees.
- Financial services industry: Employers in the financial services industry, such as banks, building societies, and insurance companies, may be required to provide references for their employees who work in regulated roles, such as financial advisers, mortgage advisers, or insurance brokers.
- Court orders: Employers may be required to provide references or disclose information about their former or current employees by court orders, such as in cases of discrimination, harassment, or criminal investigations.
- Collective agreements: Employers may be required to provide references or disclose information about their employees as part of collective agreements or employment contracts.
It is important to note that even when an employer is not legally required to provide a reference, they must ensure that any reference they provide is accurate, truthful, and not misleading. They must also comply with data protection laws and the individual's right to access the information provided in their reference.
In summary, where employers in the UK are not legally required to provide references, they may do so voluntarily. However, employees may be required to provide references as part of their job application process.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Acknowledgement of reference received letter template, to understand the workflow.
Reference completed (where form is provided) letter
Our Reference Completed Letter Template streamlines the process of providing detailed and accurate employee references, saving time and effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Acknowledgement of reference received letter template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
