This question is for a friend but I think is pertinent to my situation as well as they are remarkable similar and I thought I'd catch two birds with one stone.
My friend needs to find out where someone works (for personal reasons but it does have a legal aspect) ((but mine is because of the CCJ etc ).
Is she or indeed am I able to ring up local companies to see if they work there. She knows what industry she needs to look at ie telecoms and I know the industry and job title of the one I'm looking for but not the company.
I can split this into the two if it is different and sorry if it comes out as muddled.
The companies won't answer the direct question "does X work for you", but you could try ringing the switchboards saying you are a relative and can they put you through to X... ." and if you get through see if it's the right Mr X
You may find the phone service is automated though so you have to press 1, 2, 3 or dial the extension of the person you want
I think you'd have to be careful about how you phrase your Q to the answering telephonist.
I can't see the harm in phoning various local companies.
Mind you, I did have a guy at my door once, asking where my neighbour worked and I wasn't able to tell him.
I did know where she worked, but I didn't know him and he didn't show any ID or such (plus I didn't like his manner)