| Posted By |
Message |
bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
|
Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
I'm a little freaked out and not sure if I'm overreacting.
I just got paperwork that needs to be filled out before my final interview on Monday -- this includes a background check. Is that normal? I've never heard of this? They also want my former employer to fill out part of a form. How the heck am I supposed to do that??? I am currently employed and was fired from my last job. Yikes! What to do??
ETA: How do I get around them talking to the employer I just got fired from. Any ideas?
Message edited 4/19/2007 5:51:23 PM.
|
Posted 4/19/07 5:34 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
DebG
Pick a cause & stand up for it
Member since 5/05 18602 total posts
Name:
The cure IS worse!
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Background check is something that happens.
As for the former employer part...not sure. I don't think employers are allowed to give too much info out, what kind of info are they asking?
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:37 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Some places will hold off on the current employer questions until you have given notice, if you ask them if that is ok.
But a background check, I cannot believe you have never heard of a company doing that.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:41 PM |
| |
|
bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by DebG
Background check is something that happens.
As for the former employer part...not sure. I don't think employers are allowed to give too much info out, what kind of info are they asking?
Date of Employment
Name of Employer
Last Position Held
Reason Employment Ended
Ending Salary
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:43 PM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Standard stuff, as far as I know. I've had companies call all my references, even the personal ones, my last employer, etc.
This isn't the application you upped your salary on, is it? 
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:46 PM |
| |
|
bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by greenfreak
Standard stuff, as far as I know. I've had companies call all my references, even the personal ones, my last employer, etc.
This isn't the application you upped your salary on, is it?
It is the company I planned to up my salary, but there has been no talk of $$ yet. After seeing this, I will be 100% honest.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:49 PM |
| |
|
SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by RandJ0806
Date of Employment
Name of Employer
Last Position Held
Reason Employment Ended
Ending Salary
does it specifically say on the form "to be filled out by former employer"?  I have never heard of that before! not everyone leaves a job on good terms. that is a very unethical request IMO. THEY can call, but asking you to contact your former employer is wrong!
Message edited 4/19/2007 5:53:25 PM.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:53 PM |
| |
|
bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by RandJ0806
Date of Employment
Name of Employer
Last Position Held
Reason Employment Ended
Ending Salary
does it specifically say on the form "to be filled out by former employer"? I have never heard of that before! not everyone leaves a job on good terms. that is a very unethical request IMO. THEY can call, but asking you to contact your former employer is wrong!
Yes, they're asking it to be filled out by the former employer.
The job I got fired from does everything by the books...so they really can't say anything other than verify my employment, right?
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:55 PM |
| |
|
SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by RandJ0806
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by RandJ0806
Date of Employment
Name of Employer
Last Position Held
Reason Employment Ended
Ending Salary
does it specifically say on the form "to be filled out by former employer"? I have never heard of that before! not everyone leaves a job on good terms. that is a very unethical request IMO. THEY can call, but asking you to contact your former employer is wrong!
Yes, they're asking it to be filled out by the former employer.
The job I got fired from does everything by the books...so they really can't say anything other than verify my employment, right?
right, but still.... that is very unusual! I don't think it's right of them to ask you to do that.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:56 PM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Depends on the HR policy. I've seen it both ways.
Was the reason you were fired damaging to potential employers?
This process seems weird though. You didn't fill out an application that asked for this information?
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:57 PM |
| |
|
CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
I had to fill these out when I was interviewing with big companies, especially in financial services. I believe that legally, your former employer can only verify that you did work there between those specific dates and your title over the phone. Any money or performance specifics have to be requested and answered in writing, and most companies don't go through the effort. This is to protect you from being slandered, and your former employer from being sued for slander.
ETA: Sorry I misunderstood what you were asking. Yes, they can ask your former employer in writing for information regarding your employment, and you are entitled to ask to see what they said to ensure that it was correct. I've never asked to see mine, I thought that would be a red flag that I was concerned about what was said.
Message edited 4/19/2007 6:01:16 PM.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 5:57 PM |
| |
|
Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
My company's employment practice attorney was emphatic about not releasing any information about former employees other then dates of employment and title.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:01 PM |
| |
|
Ladybug63
Ohh... baby
Member since 5/06 2527 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Background check is totally normal and usually required.
I also find it weird that they want you to contact your previous employer.
But really all there doing is asking you to do the reference check as opposed to them doing it themselves.
I'd contact HR at your last job and tell them your faxing it over.
Be 100% honest w/ the new employer.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:03 PM |
| |
|
Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
i've heard of the backgroud check before
but I don't believe they can ask your former employer to fill out anything about you.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:04 PM |
| |
|
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by Ladybug63
Be 100% honest w/ the new employer.
Better yet, be 100% honest with every potential employer, that way you never have anything to worry about. 
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:05 PM |
| |
|
suvenR
designer mutt
Member since 5/05 4239 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Background check: Normal
Sign off from former employer: Not Normal.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:09 PM |
| |
|
lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by RandJ0806
Posted by DebG
Background check is something that happens.
As for the former employer part...not sure. I don't think employers are allowed to give too much info out, what kind of info are they asking?
Date of Employment
Name of Employer
Last Position Held
Reason Employment Ended
Ending Salary
This is standard information. They look to verify that you worked where you said you did, when you said you did, in the job you said, at the salary you said and that your employment ended for the reason you said it did.
Were you honest about the reason your employment ended?
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:12 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
i have heard of background checks as well and former employer written references. your best bet is to be completely honest about the situation to HR, im sure they hear these situations all the time. maybe you can get one person you worked with to be a reference for you, even if its not a big boss. bottom line, if you are honest with HR, they probably wouldnt hold it against you if you have trouble contacting previous employers(unless you did something REALLY bad)
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:43 PM |
| |
|
charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Not sure about the former employer form, but we do a background check on all employees (we work with kids) and all manager level employees also have to pass an educational background check.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 6:43 PM |
| |
|
CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by suvenR
Background check: Normal
Sign off from former employer: Not Normal.
exactly...
what was the reason you were fired?
|
| Posted 4/19/07 7:26 PM |
| |
|
Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
I agree that its not normal for them to want a written reference from a previous employer, but I think they *can* do it. Its your choice whether you want to pursue this position and provide the information.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 7:34 PM |
| |
|
HarleyGirlFLA
Come on in
Member since 5/05 9674 total posts
Name:
Mel
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Background checks are normal. when DH first applied for the government they wanted a 10 yr background check. And they called all his references.
When he started with Verizon they wanted a 5 yr background. They did not call his references.
For me when I worked in finance they not only did a background check but also a credit check.
When I moved to FL and started with the company I am with now (2 1/2 years) since they were a new company they did not due background checks (too much time and money to do it and as a start up company they just didnt have either)
The only thing HR can provide is the dates you were employeed and your title. I've worked in HR and eveything had to be submitted in writting. The HR department would not give out any info over the phone. And when something was submitted even if it asked for more dates of employement and title were the only things ever diviluged.
A company I used to work for that I was fired from however I think my ex-boss was slandering me but unfortunately I had no way to prove it. I just think she was because she was that type of person.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 7:49 PM |
| |
|
Reese1106
Family of 4! :o)
Member since 8/06 6655 total posts
Name:
Theresa
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Posted by RandJ0806
I'm a little freaked out and not sure if I'm overreacting.
I just got paperwork that needs to be filled out before my final interview on Monday -- this includes a background check. Is that normal? I've never heard of this? They also want my former employer to fill out part of a form. How the heck am I supposed to do that??? I am currently employed and was fired from my last job. Yikes! What to do??
ETA: How do I get around them talking to the employer I just got fired from. Any ideas?
Each company is different. I have one client who will extend and offer of employment to someone and then do the background check. The offer of employment is contingent on the backrground check coming back clear. I have another client who will do one interview, then the background check, then the second interview followed by an offer of employment.
When we have applicants come in, we have them sign an authorization granting us permission to do a background, drug screening, etc. Without this, we can't do it.
Why were you fired from your last job? The company can't say anything bad about you because that is illegal and you could take them to court if you found out. For this reason, most employers will only verify your dates of employment and title. They won't even confirm salary unless they have a signed authorization from you. If you fill out an employment application, make sure you read the small print and if you sign it, make sure you are 100% honest. I've had to fire people because we found out they gave us false information.
As for wanting your current employer to fill out a form, explain to them you are currently working and your employer doesn't know you're looking.
Message edited 4/19/2007 8:54:51 PM.
|
| Posted 4/19/07 8:51 PM |
| |
|
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Can A Potential Employer Do This? Help Please
Background checks are becoming more the norm.
A potential employer can ask your former employer your reason for termination.
Companies should not answer the question & should only confirm dates of employment & salary -- and that's only with a release from you stating they have your permission.
The other day I had an FBI investigator call to ask questions re: a former employee. I said "Please fax over the release." He said "I did state I was an FBI investigator, didn't I?" I answered "Yes you did and I'm sure you should know the protocal." Ridiculous because they should know we need that first.
I would talk to your former employer, if possible.
|
| Posted 4/20/07 9:38 AM |
| |
|
