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Requirement Change: Internal Reference Checks & Required Questions

Effective October 12, 2026, the university is implementing an important update to our reference check process. There is an updated question requirement and a mandatory reference check for internal hires:

  • Hiring committees must contact the current supervisor of any internal designated finalist before making a hiring decision.
  • Current supervisors must respond promptly to these internal reference check requests.
  • Committees must ask the references the required questions.
Why This Change is Important

While checking internal references has long been recommended as a best practice, university leadership is formalizing these steps to support informed decision-making and ensure we support internal mobility and growth without stalling the hiring process.

Asking specific questions and acquiring a reference from a current supervisor provides a highly relevant assessment of an applicant’s job performance, ability to meet the expectations of their future role, and their role as a member of our UA community.

Key Guidelines for Hiring Committees and Current Supervisors

  • Current Supervisor Response: If you are a supervisor receiving a reference request for one of your current employees, you are required to respond to reference requests in a timely manner. Delays can negatively impact the applicant's internal mobility and the hiring department's operational needs.

  • Conducting a Reference Check: As a professional courtesy to internal applicants, hiring committees should contact an applicant's current supervisor only after identifying the applicant as the designated finalist. A good faith effort to connect with the current supervisor is expected. Also, notify the applicant before contacting the supervisor. The applicant can also help make the connection if there are challenges.

  • Reference Check Considerations and Requirements: General Counsel has provided the Reference Check Considerations- Best Practices and Related Recommendations memo on conducting references and lists required reference check questions.

  • Documentation: Document completion of the current supervisor reference check and use of required questions. Your department's HR Coordinator (HRC) will help ensure your screening materials include the proper acknowledgments.

​​​​​​​What Isn't Changing

  • Personnel Files: We strongly recommend reviewing an internal candidate's personnel file. You can simply request a review by contacting UA HR’s Customer Service at ua-hr@alaska.edu.

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​External Candidates: The guidance for external finalists remains the same; contact current and previous supervisors.

​​​​​​​Support

For general questions about the reference check process, please start by contacting your department’s HR Coordinator. For complex hiring situations or concerns about providing or requesting a reference, please contact your TA Specialist at ua-hrtalent@alaska.edu.

Thank you for your continued dedication to building a strong, unified workforce and for your cooperation in implementing this updated standard.

Requirement Change

Sent from the Office of CHRO Nickole Conley via email to active employees 10/12/26, UA News 10/16/26