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Warehouse Worker reference check template

A reference check form for warehouse workers, pick packers and storepersons. It adds eight questions on picking accuracy, pace, safety and reliability across shifts.

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  • Free, no sign-up
  • Editable Word file
  • 8 warehouse worker questions

What to focus on in a warehouse worker reference check

Ask the warehouse supervisor about accuracy and pace against the team, safety habits and attendance. Those three predict most warehouse hires.

8 reference check questions to ask about a warehouse worker

Ask these after the standard verification and performance questions. They are already in the Word and PDF template.

  1. 1.What did the candidate do in your warehouse, and on which shifts?
  2. 2.How accurate was their picking and packing?
  3. 3.How did their pace compare with the rest of the team?
  4. 4.How did they follow manual handling and safety rules?
  5. 5.Which systems or scanners did they use, and how quickly did they learn them?
  6. 6.How did they handle peak periods and overtime?
  7. 7.How reliable was their attendance?
  8. 8.Would you rehire them?

What a strong reference sounds like

  • Low error rate
  • Keeps pace in peak periods
  • Safe lifting and equipment use
  • Supervisor would rehire

Red flags to follow up

  • Frequent picking errors
  • Attendance problems
  • Unsafe habits
  • The referee hesitates

Download the warehouse worker reference check template

Free, no sign-up. The Word version is editable; the PDF is ready to print.

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Want more questions? See 35 reference check questions to ask references. Prefer referees to answer online? HiveRef sends the form, chases replies and builds the report. Start with 4 free checks.

Warehouse Worker Reference Check Template

For phone or written reference checks. Use the same questions for every referee so answers are comparable.

1. Candidate and referee details

  • Candidate name
  • Role applied for
  • Referee name
  • Referee job title and organisation
  • Referee email and phone
  • Relationship to the candidate (for example, direct manager)
  • Date of reference check
  • Checked by

2. Consent

Confirm the candidate agreed to you contacting this referee. Tell the referee their answers are used only for this hiring decision.

  • Candidate consent confirmed (yes / no)
  • Date consent was given

3. Verification questions

  1. 1.How do you know the candidate, and what was your working relationship?
  2. 2.What were the candidate's start and end dates, as far as you remember them?
  3. 3.What was their job title, and did it change while you worked together?
  4. 4.Did the candidate report to you directly? If not, how often did you see their work?
  5. 5.What were the main reasons the candidate left, as far as you know?

4. Performance questions

  1. 6.Which parts of the role did the candidate own day to day?
  2. 7.Tell me about a deadline the candidate missed or nearly missed. What happened next?
  3. 8.Give an example of the candidate producing good work with incomplete information.
  4. 9.What result improved while they were in the role, and what was their contribution?
  5. 10.When results were below expectations, how did they respond to feedback?
  6. 11.What skill did the candidate develop most while you worked together?

5. Warehouse Worker questions

  1. 12.What did the candidate do in your warehouse, and on which shifts?
  2. 13.How accurate was their picking and packing?
  3. 14.How did their pace compare with the rest of the team?
  4. 15.How did they follow manual handling and safety rules?
  5. 16.Which systems or scanners did they use, and how quickly did they learn them?
  6. 17.How did they handle peak periods and overtime?
  7. 18.How reliable was their attendance?
  8. 19.Would you rehire them?

6. Working style and integrity

  1. 20.Describe a disagreement the candidate had with a colleague. How did they move the work forward?
  2. 21.How did the candidate ask for help when they needed it?
  3. 22.When the candidate made a mistake that affected others, what did they do?
  4. 23.What would you tell a new manager about working with this person?

7. Closing questions

  1. 24.Is there anything we have not asked that you think we should know?
  2. 25.What kind of manager or team would get the best out of this person?
  3. 26.Would you hire or work with this person again? Why or why not?

8. Recommendation

  • Overall: recommend / recommend with reservations / do not recommend
  • Strengths confirmed
  • Concerns or follow-ups
  • Signed and dated

Do not ask about health, family, age, religion or other protected personal information, and check the law where you hire.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important warehouse reference question?

Ask how the candidate's accuracy and pace compared with the rest of the team. It is concrete and supervisors can answer it.

Can I use this template for casual and agency staff?

Yes. Ask the host site supervisor rather than only the agency.

Should I ask about the candidate's fitness?

No. Describe the physical demands of the role to the candidate and ask the referee about safe work practices only.

Send these warehouse worker questions online instead.

HiveRef emails the referees, chases them for you and puts every answer into one report. First 4 checks free, no card needed.

Start freeSee a sample report