Background check question

[jmcoreymv]

I'm applying for a position at a company and I authorized them to do a background check. When I received a copy of the background check that was performed, my old employer had given them my salary. I thought that this information was confidential and that employers were only allowed to give the dates of employment and job title. Obviously I was wrong? or is this illegal?

 

[RaistlinZ]

Hm, I know that many employers practice that now... where they just give your dates of employment. But I don't think that's actually a federal law or anything.

I don't know why they gave your salary though. That really f*cked you over for negotiations with your new company. 🙁

 

[jlee]

Most employment applications I've seen ask for previous employers' rate of pay..so there would be no 'penalty' for leaving it blank? 😕

Maybe it just matters for upper-level positions..I dunno. 🙂

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
I'm applying for a position at a company and I authorized them to do a background check. When I received a copy of the background check that was performed, my old employer had given them my salary. I thought that this information was confidential and that employers were only allowed to give the dates of employment and job title. Obviously I was wrong? or is this illegal?

Although you may not have realized it, you probably signed away your right to privacy with regards to your previous employment conditions when you authorized the background investigation.

 

[jmcoreymv]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
I'm applying for a position at a company and I authorized them to do a background check. When I received a copy of the background check that was performed, my old employer had given them my salary. I thought that this information was confidential and that employers were only allowed to give the dates of employment and job title. Obviously I was wrong? or is this illegal?

Although you may not have realized it, you probably signed away your right to privacy with regards to your previous employment conditions when you authorized the background investigation.

I looked through the consent agreement and heres the only paragraph that would apply:

Any such reports may contain information bearing on your character, general
reputation, personal characteristics, mode of living and credit standing. The types of information that may be obtained include, but are not limited to: credit reports, social security number, criminal records checks, public court records checks, including civil, driving records, educational records, verification of employment positions held, workers compensation records, personal and professional references, licensing, certification, etc.

I like how they include the "information that may be obtained include, but not limited to:", which basically gives them free range.

 

[bmacd]

out of curiosity, what is the company?

-=bmacd=-

 

[markgm]

I was under the impression that no matter what you sign the company you worked for couldn't give the information away unless you signed something with them saying they could.

That said I know with some gov't jobs you have to list your salary on your resume next to every job you list.

 

[jmcoreymv]

Originally posted by: bmacd
out of curiosity, what is the company?

-=bmacd=-

Best Buy gave out the information. Bastards...