[quantified]

You could use any employees as a reference. In my experience, references are always checked and you should have an idea of what they'll say or don't use them.

When I'm a reference, I'm always asked about a set of things the employer has in mind and it always varies. Never just "did he work here". That's the HR reference check, which happens because you listed the prior employer.

A couple of times I've gotten a rough transcript of what my references said about me. Not every checking agency/process does that. I was blown away by some of the kudos I received, thankfully.

[aynyc]

Are you in the US? I went thru several HR training, on the subject of giving reference, our HR consultant lawyer was very explicit about what you can and can not say. For example, you can't say they missed a lot of days of work, because they might have medical reason for it. On the subject of asking for reference, you can only ask to verify what's on the resume. For example, did this person work on the project, etc..

[paulcole]

There’s a huge gulf between what an HR consultant says people should say/ask and what people actually are willing to say/ask. I got told “Don’t ask candidates what they do for fun…” I’m not willing to be that boring during an interview and it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

[quantified]

I'm in the US and I've never heard a whisper on that topic. I can answer whatever questions I want, I don't soeak on behalf of the company.

Personal references are personal. Your HR lawyer was either talkjng about some specific company reference, or was spouting the same nonsense as when the NFL says that any accounts of the televised game are strictly prohibited.