***Hmm, well, I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that such restrictions are in force only and unless one has specific permission from the employee.  Why don't you begin by asking if a written request from you in his file would make a difference?

Jeanette L. Skwor
Cofrin Library, Serials Dept.
University of WI - Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311-7001
(920) 465-2670

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of Karen Nadeski
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 3:36 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Letters of Reference

I haven't had much luck searching the archives of AUTOCAT or SERIALST on
this topic, so I thought I'd post to the lists.

Recently one of my references informed me that the new Human Resources
policy at his institution restricts him to simply verifying my dates in
employment when contacted by potential employers.  He suggested that
because of this I should find an alternative reference in the future.

I know this restriction is not new to the workplace, but it is the
first time it has affected me personally and I would like to know how
other people are handling or would handle this situation -- whether you
are seeking employment, on a search committee to fill an open position,
or someone who writes or has written letters of reference (with or
without this institutional restriction).

I am also feeling at a loss because this particular reference is the
only person who can comment upon certain skills that I acquired while
working at his library (i.e., in my work experience, they were unique to
that position).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, etc.
you can give me!

Karen Nadeski

Project Cataloger, Connecticut History Online
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
860-757-6544
knadeski@cslib.org
http://http://www.cthistoryonline.org/