When you're evaluating a new hire, the reluctance of their former employer to provide candid references can make it difficult to get the information you need:

• If you're having difficulty obtaining a reference, use this Employee Reference Request (see the Forms of the Month). Hopefully, that will convince them it is "safe" to disclose information.
• If you still can't get anything other than name, rank, and serial number, then ask to speak to their spouse and close friends. Although at first this might sound like a strange idea, our experience tells us that you can get an enormous amount of valuable information. Remember to ask our favorite question: "Did they ever tell you that anything felt unfair to them at their last job?"

Most importantly, don't give up! That's exactly what the wrong employee hopes you will do!