Information Disclosure Policy from Previous Employers

K8ENC28

Is it someone's right to call a previous employer and ask what information will be given out to someone calling for an employment verification?  What information do most companies give out? 

 I ask because I have a friend that was terminated for something very small but is afraid it will hurt her chances of finding another job. 

TIA

laurenelli

Hmmm...yeah, I would think so? If it were me, I would call the department's HR rep and ask them as opposed to calling or contacting the boss/manager that terminated her. There's usually less emotion/bad blood if you contact someone who wasn't directly involved in the firing and I would think they would be honest and tell her exactly what they will and will not disclose.

And when applying for the new job ask them if they want references (where she can provide the numbers of people she knows will vouch for her) or the number of an HR rep or if it must be the previous supervisor. If they're just trying to verify employment it might be possible for Human Resources to answer the questions if that's what she would prefer.

athlete010688

I would think so.  The only information I give out for employment verifications is dates of hire and position.  I think most HR departments only give out that information or something very similar.  I won't disclose why an employee was terminated or if we would rehire them.

K8ENC28

So in your opinion do you think the employer would even release the reason why my friend left her previous employer?  I am just wondering if they will just give dates but not give any information as to the circumstances of her leaving.  TIA

athlete010688

K8ENC28:

So in your opinion do you think the employer would even release the reason why my friend left her previous employer?  I am just wondering if they will just give dates but not give any information as to the circumstances of her leaving.  TIA

In my opinion, no the employer wouldn't. But it all depends on the employer. I would say most of the time the bigger companies will only give out dates of employment and position. But sometimes, smaller companies give out other information. It all depends on the companies policies. The company may get asked why they let her go, because there's nothing wrong with that. The company that provides the information decides whether or not they want to give that information out.