Charles
I cannot agree with your stance that confidential references should be
viewed as a potential slur on the subject to which s/he must have access in
order to prevent a wrong being done.
I was encouraged by the advice given on the JISC site which I referred to
in an earlier posting and can't see what objection there can be to
considering the interests of both the subject of the reference and the
referee by applying the legislation with discretion.
c.k.christacopoulos@DU
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for those interested Subject: Re: Data Subject Access to
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21/01/2002 12:45
Please respond to
c.k.christacopoulos
** Reply to note from [log in to unmask] Mon, 21 Jan
2002 10:03:36 +0000
> I guess the problem would not typically be in relation to academic
> references for Higher Education students, although I can imagine this
> being a problem in certain circumstances. But in the wider context can
you
> not conceive of a situation where a referee may put him/herself in a
> difficult position by giving an honest reference?
> I would have thought that a confidential reference ought to be just that.
> I do not see why, where technology has not effected a change in the
status
> of information, it should suddenly be subject to rights of subject access
> where these did not previously exist .
Hi,
What if a reference is inaccurate, based on unsubstantiated personal
opinion, likes, dislikes etc. I cannot believe that there have never been
any "superiors" who give bad references on purely subjective grounds.
Organisations should solve their own problems themselves as opposed
to trying to find ways to circumnavigate the law, and end up lining
solicitors' pockets (not sure if I apologise to the professionals on the
list
about this comment :-) ).
There is something to be said about giving a copy of the references to the
subjects.
Just a thought.
Charles
==============================================
Charles Christacopoulos, Secretary's Office, University of Dundee,
Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44+(0)1382-344891. Fax: +44+(0)1382-201604.
http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/
Scottish Search Maestro http://somis2.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
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