The federal lawsuit against retailer Best Buy filed January 22 by a former manager was another reminder that past-employment verifications can easily harm both the former employer as well as the former employee.
The manager claimed in his lawsuit that Best Buy placed into writing that he “sucked”, “his wife left him because he has no job” and “he was inappropriate at an employee meeting.”
Whether the court rules if this is true or not, it raises an interesting fact about American life and the search for a job. In America, employers feel obligated to verify information about people that no longer work for them. Although it is not a revenue source for employers and this case highlights that it can be a serious liability, American tradition and corporate etiquette compels employers to help the former employees in their search for new jobs, mortgages, loans or to rent residences.
Robert Mather, CEO of Pre-Employ.com, a leading background screening services provider, said that his firm processes tens of thousands of employment verifications for corporations and has heard his fair share of former employers saying things they probably shouldn't have.
“Cusswords, racial epithets, sexual innuendos and outright lies are fairly common in our industry. We have called former employers whose employees say the most outrageous and downright unbelievable things. I am sure that if the corporate office knew what was being said by the person answering their phone, they would be shocked. I am equally positive the former employee would be outraged,“ said Mather.
Employers are using corporations like Past-Employ.com to automate the reference or employment verification process and ensure that no one speaks or emails inaccurate or unlawful information about a former employee.
What can employers do to ensure accurate information is being disseminated by their employees?
- Have a well written policy on verbal employment or reference verifications
- Use corporations like www.Past-employ.com to regulate and streamline the process
- Hire private investigators or secret shoppers to call their organizations and pose as a new employer
Consumers are turning to services like www.MyBackgroundCheck.com to verify former employers and use the service to monitor any incorrect employment or criminal record information that is not associated with their name or future background check report.
What former employees can do to verify and validate their background information:
- Use companies like MyBackGroundCheck.com to get independent verification of what is being provided by the former employer or being reported to the new employer via the background check provider ( Average of $18.95 to verify )
- Hire a local private investigator ( National average of $40 per hour)
- Call your former employer yourself and attempt to get the information ( Free )
- If you are applying for new employment ask for a free copy of your background check report - many states mandate this right and require they fix inaccurate information within 30 days
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