Can referees write confidential information about you on a reference? Is it possible for you to get a copy of a reference? What can you do if a referee discloses confidential information about you?

You don't normally see your references (companies tend not to believe 'open' references) but you could ask your referees what they have written, or ask the person it was sent to to release it under Freedom of Information. It's a good idea to tell referees what points and skills to emphasise in your references, and you could probably ask them not to include things as well. Bear in mind things you omit might come up in a background check anyway. If you don't like what a referee says about you, don't use that person again.

As boredpostdoc says you can see copies of references written about you under the freedom of information act. We are not sure of the legalities of exposing confidential information (it would probably depend more on whether that information is confidential in law than if it was information you gave in confidence). Referees are obliged however to comment on things like punctuality or the number of days taken off sick.

If you requested to see a copy of your reference would anyone know (i.e your referees?) And is it usually a done thing to ask to see your reference in academia?

Under new laws you are now able to request to see a reference which someone has written about you for most circumstances I believe.