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We can ask anything. No law prevents us doing so. A few laws prohibit answering some questions. Some laws prohibit our considering some applicant info in making hiring decisions. ---Yes, and... This is an area where former employers best beware what they say and write about you when responding to such requests. Savvy companies and informed HR departments generally limit their answers to verifying dates employed, annual salary and sometimes, only when specifically asked, if your former employer considers you rehire able. Smart managers who get calls or letters of request for information refer these on to HR. Sometimes a potential new boss will call your old manager and tell him/her, 'I'm considering hiring John Smith. What can you tell me about him?' Any manager who opens up and shares subjective opinion, rumor, or other information (founded or unfounded) that prevents you from getting the new job opens him/herself and their company to damaging litigation. Remember such requests happen at the decision-to-hire point in the process. You're either their choice, pending this inquiry and reference checks, or you're on the short list. If you have reason to believe unfavorable comments screwed you. You, of course, will need to be able to prove the conversation took place and the nature of its content. And, if you get the new job, forget going after your old employer as you have no actual damages.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoI am fairly sure that Federal Laws prevent any information except when you were hired, if you are currently working or your termination date, salary, title and department you worked for. Other than that, they need a specific, signed, release from you saying that they have your permission to look at your employee file. They are kept for five years where I work. By the way, when you fill out an application, provide the phone number of the Human Resources department. Most companies do not allow supervisors to comment anyways.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoThey legally can only comment about your work habits be it poor or excellent. Many times some companies don't even bother to check with the former employer and the person interviewing you would rather make their own assumptions about you. If you've had some difficulties with a miserable former employer don't be afraid to be candid when interviewed, but without pushing the former employer into the ground. Just say that you felt your former employer was unfair and you didn't always see eye to eye. I've done it myself and was hired.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoVery Little. Length of employment, salary, address, etc. And they can answer the question whether or not you are eligible for rehire.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoHe cannot tell lies
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What did former slave do after the civil war?
The former slaves either stayed with their masters. But they didn't say they were slaves, they are now employers of their old master. The employers got paid a higher amount.
Is the employers liable if a supervisor is harassed by a former employee?
no
What is the punishment if an employer does not answer dates of former employment or title?
There is no penalty. No law compels former employers to answer.
Can a prospective employer ask you why you left your previous employer?
Employers are NOT restricted in making factual comments on former employers. They are liable only if they make knowingly false statements. Prospective employers can ask about your former job, too.
What information is a past employer supposed to give to a potential employer?
Absolutely anything it wishes to say. Former employers SHOULD stick to facts, but no defamation law requires that.
How many references is a job applicant asked to provide?
Job applicants are asked to list former employers (if any) which are the most important form of reference for job applicants, and usually you just list all of them, no matter how many former employers you have, although you might only want to list those of, let us say, the past decade, if they are too numerous. If there are no former employers because you have never worked before, then you will probably have to do without references, unless you are a personal friend of someone that your prospective employer knows personally.
Why do some employers have policy against rehiring former employees even if they were good employees?
Some employers think this policy is bad for employee morale.
Can an employer lie about the reason an employee was fired to a prospective employer?
Here in the States, potential employers are not allowed to ask how the former employment was terminated. They can only seek character references. No law prohibits employers from giving thorough info on former employees to anyone who inquires. Former employees have zero expectation of privacy regarding their work record, attendance, attitude, skill, or disciplines. EMployers who express no falsehoods about a former employee have zero liability for defamation.
How do you hire the best people?
check out the resumes and their former employers with a fine toothed comb
Why do some employers have a policy against rehiring former employees even after they were good employees?
Some employers think this policy is bad for employee morale.
Can a former employer tell prospective employers you were terminated due to failing a drug test in Michigan?
No
How long can a former employer tell prospective employers about positive drug screen for trucking jobs?
A former employer may inform a prospective employer at his discretion.
