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If you need to request a reference for a new employee, use this model form to gain declaration of their consent for you to contact their former employer.
You can then send this with each reference request.
Please read the information on this form carefully and completely.
I have applied for employment with [company name] and have provided information about my previous employment. I authorise [company name] to conduct a reference check with my present and/or previous employer(s).
I understand that reference information may include, but not be limited to, verbal and written inquiries or
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A Declaration of Consent to Reference form is used when an individual is applying for a job. The purpose of the form is to obtain the applicant's consent to allow the employer to contact and obtain information from individuals or organisations who can provide a reference for the applicant.
The form typically includes the applicant's name, contact information, and a statement indicating that the applicant consents to the release of information by their references. It may also include a space for the applicant to list the names and contact information of the individuals or organisations who will be contacted as references.
By signing the Declaration of Consent to Reference form, the applicant is acknowledging that they have read and understand the purpose of the form, and they are giving their permission for the employer to contact their references.
Related HR resources and workflow
Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Declaration of consent to contact reference form, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.
Our offer of employment letter template ensures clear communication of job offers, outlining terms and expectations for new hires, streamlining the hiring process.
If you are recruiting a new employee and wish to request a reference from a previous employer, send this this model letter template to request confirmation of their employment.
Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.
Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.
Yes, we highlight the areas of the document 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.
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Declaration of consent to contact reference form template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.
How this content is developed and reviewed
The Declaration of consent to contact reference form template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.
Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director
Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.
He has extensive practical experience of managing reference request processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.
HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.
"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."
"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."
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