Q&A: Is an employer required to provide a reference?
Published on: 03/09/2026
Issues Covered:
Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Madison Bowyer Associate in the Employment Law Group of Arthur Cox NI
Madison Bowyer Associate in the Employment Law Group of Arthur Cox NI
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Madison has experience dealing with both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. Madison advises a range of employers across various sectors on all aspects of employment law. Madison’s practice area includes advisory work and corporate transactions.

Stay ahead of the curve with our exclusive Q&A series, brought to you by leading law firm, Arthur Cox, LLP, designed to answer your most pressing legal questions. These expert insights provide clear guidance to ensure your HR practices remain compliant and protect your organisation.

This month's question:

Is an employer required to provide a reference?

In short, there is no legal obligation to provide a reference. Employers are not generally required to provide a reference, unless there is a contractual obligation to do so or the role falls within a regulated industry, such as certain positions within the financial services sector. Employers may also agree to provide a reference in other circumstances, for example as part of a compromise

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Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 03/09/2026