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I got a call from a Background Screening Company.  They asked to verify employment of one of our employees.  I asked that they fax an authorization for release of information signed by the
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Employment Verification

posted at 7/26/2012 2:20 PM EDT on Workforce Management
Posts: 7
First: 11/17/2011
Last: 7/27/2012

I got a call from a Background Screening Company.  They asked to verify employment of one of our employees.  I asked that they fax an authorization for release of information signed by the employee.  They did, but he checked the box "do not contact my current employer."  I do not plan to verify employment without his authorization to contact us, nor do I plan on talking to the employee about it.  Would you agree?

The employee is working on critical projects.  If he leaves us abruptly it will hurt us.  I now know that he is planning on leaving us.  There is no question that he has applied for work elsewhere.  Can we act on this information?  What would you do?  My job is to do what is best for the company.  This means talking to his supervisor and either putting a plan in place to try and keep him or recruiting for his replacement. 

Re: Employment Verification

posted at 7/26/2012 3:02 PM EDT on Workforce Management
Posts: 148
First: 9/20/2011
Last: 12/12/2012
In Response to Employment Verification:
I got a call from a Background Screening Company.  They asked to verify employment of one of our employees.  I asked that they fax an authorization for release of information signed by the employee.  They did, but he checked the box "do not contact my current employer."  I do not plan to verify employment without his authorization to contact us, nor do I plan on talking to the employee about it.  Would you agree? The employee is working on critical projects.  If he leaves us abruptly it will hurt us.  I now know that he is planning on leaving us.  There is no question that he has applied for work elsewhere.  Can we act on this information?  What would you do?  My job is to do what is best for the company.  This means talking to his supervisor and either putting a plan in place to try and keep him or recruiting for his replacement. 
Posted by JamesPSullivan


With regard to the actual verification, I would not verify either without authorization.

I do not agree that you should act on this information. Yes he is likely leaving so now is the time to so some planning and reviewing. Consider these issues:

You knew this was a critical skill person.
  - Is his pay above market? 
  - Is the supervision of the quality it should be?
  - Do you have backups to critical skills?
  - Is he promotable? Can you do it now?
  - Have you had above average turnover for this position or from this team?

Turnover of key skills sets is going to happen from time to time. This is a good time to check all the variables and make sure that there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.

Re: Employment Verification

posted at 7/27/2012 9:49 AM EDT on Workforce Management
Posts: 127
First: 9/21/2011
Last: 11/12/2012
I've always been of the opinion that if someone is unhappy enough to leave, that trying to keep them is not always a good thing. You might keep them for now, but eventually they will get the bug again. I've seen it time and time again. You give them more money now, you promote them, etc and it still isn't what they are looking for.

I agree with Howard though to plan,check and review the situation.

Re: Employment Verification

posted at 7/27/2012 12:25 PM EDT on Workforce Management
Posts: 7
First: 11/17/2011
Last: 7/27/2012


Thank you both.  Your advice is always appreciated. 

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