What information can be obtained from previous employers?

Question

I was terminated five years ago and accept I have to list them on my job application. However, how do I address this issue? What information can a potential employer ask for if the process went through their legal department and through the appeal process of the department of labor? Do I have any remedy? Do I have a chance to still get that job although it was five years ago?

Answer 1

Most employers will only give name, rank and serial number these days.  That is, officially they will confirm dates of employment and position held.  Rarely will they discuss the terms of separation.

You should contact the HR department and find out what they are saying about you.  You can probably have someone call and say they are considering you for an new position... then see what response your former employer gives.

Answer 2

Your new employer will not be able to obtain the reason" Why" you were fired. It is against the law for your past employer to give out that information. They can only ask If you were terminated NOT why .

It is then up to you to tell them that info or not. Five years is a long time to be employed at one place, you can always tell them you were looking for a change, higher pay, better benefits etc.

good luck

Answer 3

You shold still have a chance I  cant see why not, especially if it was 5 years ago. I know that if you put it on your resume (how many jobs ago was it?) Then they can call for a reference. Most employers dont like to give references because honestly, In Canada Anyways, they are NOT allowed to say anything that would make  an employee decide not to higher you. I was in management previously and i would awnser questions but if there was something negitive I would advise  that I would prefer not to awnwer that question, so the person kinda of would have their awnser anyways. I dont know if this helps you cause Im in Canada. DSont k now where your from but thought I would forward anyways.

Answer 4

They can ask for anything.  However, it's likely all they will get is your dates of employment, what your position was, and possibly what your ending salary was.  Nothing more.  Most companies do not give out detailed employee information due to legal obligations.

Answer 5

Legally they avoid anything other than acknowledging you worked there, but an individual supervisor listed may be more forthcoming

Find the name of a supervisor who doesn't work there anymore and list them as a reference, so they run into a dead end

Answer 6

Once you check the box allowing a company to contact a previous employer, or sign a release form, that company can ask just about any question they want... except for questions regarding race, gender, marital status, etc...

There are some questions that are required to be answered -verification of company name, address, & phone #, dates of employment, job title & if you were subject to drug & alcohol testing, and the results of such testing.

Other questions are optional.

Ex: was he a safe worker? Was he on time for work?

Most companies do not give personal opinions on an employee. It all depends on their company's policy.

I would have to say don't worry about it. But, if you are applying for the exact same position at a different company, they might look into the matter if this "incident" would directly effect the safety of your new postion.

Answer 7

All they allowed to ask is, just the time and date you have worked there! nothing else, and most ppl don't even care about it anyway!

Answer 8

I think it depends on what state you are in, but at my company I am only allowed to say when you worked, when you left and would I be able to rehire you. Anything beyond that is opinion.  They should recordsaying anthing beyond that. Unless I can prove something I do not say anything, like if they ask me about attitude or work habits I say as little as possible or refer them through HR.