HR Insider: Fired or Laid-Off? The Truth About What a Former Employer Can Say About You

Posted on in Career Advice, Hiring Hub | 0 comments

By Marie Raperto, Cantor Integrated Marketing Staffing

As a recruiter, one of the most common questions I’m asked is “What can my former employer say about me?” There aren’t any Federal laws

State laws differ so it’s good to check your state labor department website to see if state labor laws limit what employers can disclose.

If you have been fired or terminated, ask your employer what information they give out. If they give out more than the basics, ask if the information can be tweaked. Your story and your former employer’s story must agree. If you are telling everyone you were laid-off but the company is saying you were fired, you will not be considered for the job. In fact, if an employer discovered that something on your employment application was false, you can be fired at anytime during your career with that employer.  Job applications usually have a notice saying the information provided is true and you must sign the application.

Also, just because you and the company agree on what will be said, doesn’t mean the truth won’t get out. Most large corporations have policies that prohibit anyone but HR from taking calls about former employees. Many small firms don’ t have these policies.

So be careful out there. Honesty is the best policy.

Published: August 26, 2012 By: thehiringhub