Is it possible to find out if an ex-employer might be giving you a bad reference? I don't know anyone with experience to call and professionaly ask for a reference to see what she is saying and when I've called places that I've applied at to ask about the reference they had recieved, they say they can't tell me. I also tried asking credit companies if they would do this, they denied. What to do, what to do! I know she's saying something to prevent me from gaining employment. HELP!
127588
Very nearly every company now follows one simple rule: "We will only confirm dates of employment." They dont' have to give any info about what you did or why you left or how much you made or anything.\n\n Why ? They have been told that saying more than that - positive or negative - could get them sued. (If they give someone an awesome recommendation, and that person ends up stealing or something from a future employer - that future employer will say that they based their decision in part on the recommendation). \n\nAnd, if you do get a bad recommendation, nobody is going to tell you - if you decide to sue your old boss, they will get sucked into the lawsuit - and they do not want that to happen. \n\nA boss is not at all prohibited from giving you a 'bad' recommendation. Their larger obligation is to give an honest recommendation. If somebody sucks - well, sorry, they suck. The boss might choose different words. \n\nIf you (or anybody) thinks that a lawsuit is the answer to anything and everything - it's not. You are looking at $ 5000 + to pay for a lawyer, and unless you have some amazing evidence, it will go nowhere. Even getting a chance at getting 'justice' will cost you an amazing amount of money. Bosses also collect little bits and pieces of bad stuff on you, in case they ever have to use it. Even if the boss lies and says you were awful (assuming that you were not awful), are any co-workers going to stand up for you and risk losing their jobs or getting pulled into the lawsuit themselves ? Nope. And, if they give you a bad recommendation, they may have stuff to back it up - you may not agree w it - but to someone who does not know either of you, it might be convincing. And, down the road, if someone does a little research on you while you are applying for a job w them, it's not too difficult to find out if you have sued someone or have been sued in the past. If it shows that you sued a previous employer - into the shredder goes your resume. Are you ever going to know that happened ? Nope.\n\nWhat happens if you call the local Dept of Labor in your city or state or any other of several advocacy groups ? Well, they only have so many people working there, and they are absolutely buried by complaints from people who feel that they have been treated unfairly. How many people who have lost a job have ever thought that they deserved to lose their job ? Then everybody starts giving them advice on how you 'can't let them get away w that.' Baloney.\n\nYour old boss also has a lot more experience in dealing w this kind of thing. You are looking at it for the first time - that is another big disadvantage you have.\n\nThat's the real world. It's not about what is fair. It's about knowing the rules of different games so that you can play them to your best advantage. \n\nTalking about the perfect world and your rights and all is just air - it's good for nothing. \n\nHow to overcome it - don't give up - "never never never give up" - Winston Churchill. \n\nIt's never about whether you get knocked down - you will - all that matters is whether or not you get back up. If you don't give up, you cannot fail.\n\nSorry that I don't have a nice tidy "the world is fair" answer for you - but this is the truth that comes from a lot of experience. The 'real world' and the 'perfect world' do not even know that the other one exists - they are that far apart.
34335
I've had to do a lot of this and it's amazing how many different kinds of problems there are. Here are some I've encountered.\n\n1. person cited as a reference doesn't know the applicant (how unbelieveable is that?)\n2. person who wrote the reference refuses to comment on what they have written saying, "I've already said all I had to say."\n3. Verbal reference by telephone is completely different and much more critical than the written reference.\n4. Addresses, phone numbers, job titles, etc. of reference are wrong or garbled so that contact can't be made.\n5. Person contacted about an applicant denies having written a reference.\n6. No one cited as a reference knows that the applicant has listed them as a reference to contact.\n7. Different references return wildly different perspectives on a candidate that contradict each other.\n8. A person cited as a reference clearly has issues with the applicant and has used the reference process to get even.\n9. Applicant is pathetic and people used as references are so eager to get rid of them that they give glowing references.\n10. Person contacted as a reference asks to be considered for the job for which they have written a reference for someone else.\n11. A pool of applicants get together and serve as references for each other.\n12. Persons contacted about an applicant use sexual, racial, cultural, or religious bias in their answers.\n13. Persons serving as references provide contradictory information when contacted by different members of the applicant review team.\n\nI could go on and on. Is there a solution? Probably not. People are as diverse as the jobs that are available to be filled. Working with humans and their individual quirks and bias is tricky, but really interesting. Nothing I can offer except learn from your experiences, trust your instincts, and keep a good sense of humor. People are frustrating and funny in equal measure.
383007
I don't think that's actually a law as your previous employer has a right to tell your prospective employer if you had a habit of not coming into work beyond your vacation time, didn't complete your responsibilities on time. I don't think they should tell your employer you're a horrible human being b/c they didn't like you, but as far as I know it's not illegal. \n\nAlso, if your employer is going to say something bad about you, then don't list them in the first place. Only include that job for a background check, if they require one.
589471
That's illegal. A former employer should only confirm that you worked there and your title and the time period that you were employed in that position. That's about it.\n\nI'd get a lawyer.
264168
Not having a record, I can only guess. If I did have a record, I would try to get rid of it. Having to explain something I did once every single tine I applied for a job would be embarrassing. Its nice to not have a record that needs expunging.
229015
Put down, YES! If you don't that is an automatic RED FLAG!!\nLabor laws restrict what an employer can day about you. Otherwise they can be sued. Most employers will only give out dates of hire and when you left the company. They can also give out salary info. The one question they can answer that can hurt sometimesis, Would you hire this person back. If they say, No, then they take that as a sign you may have been fired. You can always say that it's your understanding that the company does not rehire ex-employees
8615
are you drawing unemployment? if so it'll be easy for them to find out if you're lying.  The crime though... no crime until you sign at the bottom of an application stating you verify that everything within the application that you wrote is true to the best of your knowledge. it can be a felony but most likely a misdemeanor if they really wanted to try and hit you with the book... most companies don't though it's a waste of their time. but you surely wont get the job if they do find out. if you haven't been drawing unemployment just say self employed. don't ask your old HR to lie for you... they may say that they would do it and then tell the new company that you are lying and asked them to cover up for you... think about it.
612202
I have some gaps in my work history.  They aren't questioned.  If they do question, just say you were working outside of your profession, SAHM, federal prison, etc.
136601
I know in NY they can only verify that you did actually work for the company during the time you stated. No other information can be provided, however, if you provide the new company with your SS# to do a background check they will be able to see all the jobs you've held and the salary/wages you received. IMO, just don't lie, it will come back to haunt you.
197679
All the employer needs to do is call the reference to verify the validity of said reference.\n\nI am a manager, and I have fired two employees AFTER THEY WERE HIRED, because I found out they lied on their applications. One lied about her references (it took me a while, but I did find out they were all fabricated), and one lied about his education (I did not receive transcripts like he promised).\n\nDo not lie, because you will get caught (sooner or later) !!!
177283
Why would you do that?... If your new potential employer finds out, you might have difficualties. Make sure you have a good justification for it. You migh want to write a letter to your former company where you explain what you did and why, and have it signed of reception or something, that might protect you if this whole incident hinders you in the future.\n\nBest case scenario, they won't find out.
441244
Call them, or have a friend do it, acting as a prospective employer who is checking your references.  See what they say.
301894
unhireable might be an internal reference if you were to ever apply for a job with that company again.  Some companies do that and some people do ask in references "would you hire this person again".  Sounds like they are being real jerks about it.  Aren't you glad you are leaving.  Maybe schedule a discussion about it with the personnel office and ask them and bring up your experiences and "employee of the month" thing.  It could be your manager is sabotaging you with the company and personnel isn't aware of it.  Good luck!
649549
It means that the company may contact a former employer to verify you worked there, did the job you say you did, worked the timeframe that you state, and possibly verify your salary. They ask you the question because if they contact a former employer and get information about you that would affect their decision to hire you then you have released both the current company and former company to say such things.\n\nDo you have additional employment information means do you have more jobs than what the space on the application allows, or do you have additional duties or tasks that do not fit on the application form.\n\nWhen you go to fill out an application it is always a good idea to bring with you the names, addresses, phone numbers of all former employers, supervisors, starting and ending dates, and starting and ending salary you earned going back 10 years. That way you have it right in front of you and you can just write it down. Also bring with you any letters of reference, list of personal and professional references with you in case you are asked for them.
486989
Usually they mean to bring names of people they can contact, not necessarily a written document.\n\nAsk people at your last job, preferably in positions of importance, if you can use them as a reference.  If you don't want your present employer to know you're looking, ask people you trust not to say anything if you can use them as well.
231400
Unfortunately there is not much you can do about someones personal opinion of you regardless of how unprofessional the remarks may be.  About the most you can do is refute the claims made by this person if and when you are given the opportunity.  \n\nA professional reference is more or less a recount of how you performed on a job.  They are used the give the perspective employer insight into your work ethics.  I believe references given by former employers must be provide by HR so if the remarks made by this person were not documented and part of your employment file it is possible you could have some type of lawsuit against your former boss or even the company.
449669
It is REALLY unlikely that an employer is going to check your credit history.  Even if they claim they have that right, or you give them that right when you fill out the application.\n\nThere are plenty of other ways to get screwed when trying to find a job, this one should probably be at the bottom of your list of things to worry about.\n\nGood luck.