Reference after two years???

[premiere]

Have contracted through agency at same client for over 18 months and signed another 6 month extension 2 weeks ago. I have just had a call from the agency saying that they are 'doing an audit' of all their contractors and it appears that they have had no references for me from previous employment. They went on to say that this should've been done at the beginning (it was but they deny it)

I stated that they took a reference when I was offered the contract but they maintain that they didn't and to ensure their paperwork is correct they now want to contact a previous employer for a reference. I did say no initially as they have had the ref (over 18 months ago but it was verbal) and that I felt they were just looking for leads. They assured me they are not and just want to verify my previous employment dates.

Do I dish up the reference? I have no problem with references but I do not want people who have provided this for me in the past to be inundated with sales calls from agency.

Thoughts? (Agency is Allegis)

[TykeMerc]

Nope, they're desperate for new business and just fishing for contacts.

If you refuse, which is perfectly reasonable since they can't really claim it's in any way helping you to secure the contract you've been in for the last 18 months and just extended, then there's nothing they can do.

[SueEllen]

Either refuse, or if the company is large then give them the HR department.

Most large companies don't allow staff to give out references for people just in case they say/write something which means the company could be sued.

[TheFaQQer]

Have contracted through agency at same client for over 18 months and signed another 6 month extension 2 weeks ago. I have just had a call from the agency saying that they are 'doing an audit' of all their contractors and it appears that they have had no references for me from previous employment. They went on to say that this should've been done at the beginning (it was but they deny it)

I stated that they took a reference when I was offered the contract but they maintain that they didn't and to ensure their paperwork is correct they now want to contact a previous employer for a reference. I did say no initially as they have had the ref (over 18 months ago but it was verbal) and that I felt they were just looking for leads. They assured me they are not and just want to verify my previous employment dates.

Do I dish up the reference? I have no problem with references but I do not want people who have provided this for me in the past to be inundated with sales calls from agency.

Thoughts? (Agency is Allegis)

Tell them to talk to your HR department.

My previous employer was a LONG time ago.

(And no, tell them to flip off about a reference for something that they did two years ago).

[BrilloPad]

At first refuse. If they get pushy refer them to previous agent.

Whenever I leave contract I get a letter from agency confirming dates I worked there.

[BolshieBastard]

That's one desparate agent! Tell them to feck off. Tell us who the agent is.

[premiere]

Agency is Allegis

[EqualOpportunities]

I had this once. Can't remember who it was. Told them to FRO.

[PAH]

I've heard it all now.

Tell them to refer to your ClientCo (they already have the details!) for a reference, as that's the only one relevant after 18 months and several extensions.

What are they going to do if you refuse!? Nothing at all, they don't make the decisions about your current contract, the ClientCo does.

[swamp]

Definitely tulipe from the agent, but if they're persistent I can see it could be awkward. My advice would be to fob them off with excuses until Christmas and worry about it next year.