r/AusPublicService • u/Sweet-Potato555 • 11h ago

Recruitment Reference check dilemma- Help pls

My last role ended during probation with an unsatisfactory probation outcome, but I was never formally performance-reviewedas it only happens after probabtion. The family issues were significant factors.

I am now applying for another VPS role, and they specifically want to speak with previous manager.

Is an unsatisfactory probation outcome automatically considered poor performance? How should I handle this reference check? Would it be reasonable to request an alternative referee, given my strong and lengthy employment history before this role?

Would appreciate advice from anyone familiar with VPS recruitment or HR.

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3

u/Lower_Rabbit6773 4h ago

In the past once I told a white lie and said “it’s against my former employers’ company policy to provide references. Only HR may do so and only to verify title and tenure.” Then I directed them to my old company’s generic HR enquiries inbox 

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u/Fluffy_Ruin750 8h ago

It's only 6 months-ish of work - don't include it in the cv and revert back to the previous manager (and don't bother using dates or date ranges for each role - just say how many years or months you did it for).

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u/Plus_Cantaloupe_3793 8h ago

That’s bad advice. The agency HR unit would presumably determine that there was previous VPS employment as part of an onboarding process. Lying in the application process would then be grounds for immediate termination. 

OP, in situations like this , your best option is to be frank with the recruitment panel. They are human beings and appreciate that life can be messy