Sample Check Verification of Employment and Reference Policy

Sample Check Verification of Employment and Reference PolicySample Check Verification of Employment and Reference PolicyIf you work for a company or organization with a Human Resources department, the chances are good that your company will have a policy about who can respond to a request for a reference. Your company is also likely to specify how to respond to a request for a reference. Companies do this to control the flow of information that is available to outsiders, even prospective employers. They are concerned about lawsuits, libel charges, and interfering with the job prospects of either a positively remembered employee or an employee who was a ?poor fit for their organization. It is legal for an employer to truthfully share information about a former employee. This information can include such specifics as job titles and general content of the jobs, dates of employment, and salary earned by the former employee. They may also legally tell the prospective employer whether they would rehire the individual, why the employee left their employment, and general examples and observations about how the individual performed. As long as what they tell the prospective employer is truthful, and especially if they have documentation of the facts that they share, a lawsuit is a long shot. However, in the litigious U.S., where people can sue anyone for anything at any time, former employers are understandably wary about what information they share with a prospective employer. Employers are also concerned about the skill of the employee who answers questions about a former employee. People who do background checking for a living or who work in HR departments are skilled at obtaining information from untrained employees - maybe mora than you want the employee to share with a prospective employer - or anyone. Untrained employees also fall into the trap of giving opinions that are not based on facts and solid evidence. This can affect the chances of the former employee re ceiving a job offer from the potential employer. These are several of the reasons why sample policies such as the one that follows are becoming so common in organizations. Reference Check Sample Policy All employment reference check inquiries from current or former employees, prospective employers of current or former employees or other organizations should be directed to Human Resources for an official company response. Under no circumstances is any other employee authorized to provide a written or official employment reference for the company. All requests for employment references or employment verification must contain the employees or former employees signature authorizing the release of information. When the signature is present, generally, your company releases this information about current and former employees whether the individual is currently employed at Your Company,the employees current or last job title,the dates of employment at Your Company, andthe current or fi nal salary paid to the employee. Depending on the circumstances of the request, and input from the past or current employee, the company might release salary history, job title history, and whether the company would rehire the employee. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the President of (Your Company). Final Thoughts It behooves todays organizations to have in place policies that determine what - if anything - employees can share with prospective employers about former employees. Youll want to have studied the situation, written the policy, and trained all employees in how to apply the policy to themselves. As with any policy, additionally, obtain sign-offs from employees that they have received and understand the policy. It is then up to management and Human Resources staff to follow up to make sure employees follow the policy. Disclaimer Please Note The author makes every effort to offer accurate, common-sense, ethical Human Resources management, employer, and wor kplace advice both on this website, and linked to from this website, but she is not an attorney, and the content on the site, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality, and is not to be construed as legal advice. The site has a world-wide audience and employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country, so the site cannot be definitive on all of them for your workplace. When in doubt, always seek legal counsel or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct. The information on this site is for guidance, ideas, and assistance only.

What Not to Include in a Resignation Letter

What Not to Include in a Resignation LetterWhat Not to Include in a Resignation LetterIt can be tempting to let your employer know exactly how you feel about your experience at the company in yourresignation letter.There are several reasons why it would feel good to say how you really feel. Your motivation could vary from payback to catharsis to a sincere interest in providing feedback to your employer. Regardless of how much youd like to say it, dont do it. Saying the wrong things in your letter can bring unwanted consequences if you arent careful. Before you write your resignation letter, review these guidelines to avoid any damaging mistakes that could come back to haunt you. Here are 10 things not to include in a resignation letter. Dont Be Vague About Your Resignation Dont hand in a letter until you are sure you want to leave. Also, state a specific date for your departure in your letter. You want to be as clear and specific as possible, to avoid any confusion. Dont Say T hat You Will Be Leaving Immediately Research the norms or policies at your employer forgiving notice. Provide adequate notice and offer to help train any staff who will assume your duties even if you are certain your employer will ask you to leave right away.You want your parting impression to be that of a concerned professional. The exception would be if there are personal or work issues that preclude you staying. Here are some reasons why an employeemay not be able to give two weeks notice. Dont Include Anything Negative About Your Supervisor You may have worked with the most incompetent or negative boss imaginable. However, your letter of resignation is not a confidential document and may be shared with your supervisor. Remember that your supervisor might have to give you a recommendation in the future, or at least answer questions about you when a potential employer does a background check on you. Make sure you leave on good terms with your supervisor. Dont Disparage th e Company, or Its Products and Services Avoid phrases like I am leaving to work with an industry leader that imply your current employer is inferior. Again, you want to leave the company on as positive a note as possible. Dont Use Language That Implies You Were Unsatisfied at the Company Your letter is one of the last impressions you will make.If there is a negative tone to your communication, then you might be perceived as a disgruntled employeewith an attitude problem.If you want to point to a new job as an improvement, then emphasize how the position advances your career. For example, you might say I am moving on to a district manager position that will enable me to apply my strategic planning skills. Dont Mention a Better Salary as the Reason You Are Leaving Dont say youre leaving in hopes that the company will offer you more money. If they dont offer you the money, you are out of a job. Instead, if you want to use a new job offer as leverage to negotiate more money fro m your current employer, meet with your boss and discuss the situation. Dont Criticize or Imply a Criticism of Any of Your Subordinates or Co-Workers in Your Letter Future employers may reach out informally to individuals who arent listed as your references to determine whether you were a good manager or team member. Make sure you leave your colleagues and employees on a good note. In fact, consider writing a message to your co-workers and subordinates telling them you Express Your Gratitude With the Organization Individuals who believe that you appreciate them will be more likely to say good things about you. Therefore, try to mention any positive experiences that you are grateful for at the company. Dont Forget to Proofread Your resignation letter is one of the last samples for your employer of your writing skills and attentiveness to detail. Remember to proofread it carefully to avoid spelling and grammar errors. Consider asking a friend or family member to read it fo r you as well. 10. Dont use an overly positive tone that will seem insincere. For example, if it is well known that you had difficulties with your boss, dont say something like It will be difficult to leave such a capable and visionary manager as Brad. This will come across as sarcastic and even offensive. How to Address Your Concerns About the Job or Company Because you have already decided to move on, your concerns are probably better left unsaid. However, if you believe it is absolutely necessary to address your managers behavior or a difficult situation at work that led to your resignation, verbalize your feedback to a trusted individual in management or in human resources. Try to do so in a very objective manner, devoid of emotion.Your focus should be on specific problematic behaviors. If you balance your comments with some positives, it will enhance your credibility. You may have the opportunity to share your reasons for leaving in anexit interview. If thats not an option, schedule a time to address your concerns. Its best to do it as close as you can to your departure date, so your last days on the job arent any more difficult than they have to be because you ticked off your boss. Read Resignation Letter Samples One way to write a professional resignation letter is to read resignation letter samples. Use resignation letter samples as templates for your own letter. They can help you structure your letter, and can even help you think of what to say. However, do not simply copy and paste a resignation letter sample and send it to your employer. Be sure to change the details to fit your personal situation. If you are sending a resignation email message, make sure you review email message examples.

Employee bakes laxative-laced brownies for coworkers farewell

Employee bakes laxative-laced brownies for coworkers farewellEmployee bakes laxative-laced brownies for coworkers farewellBefore you eat the baked goods your coworker brought, make sure that you actually trust their good intentions. One 47-year-old Michigan employee was just fired for bringing laxative-laced brownies that were intended for a departing coworkers goodbye party.Revenge was almost served through laxative-filled browniesWhen we dont like our coworkers, we may choose the mora passive-aggressive option of talking behind their back or even eating their lunch. But this unnamed employee went a more creative route and decided to serve her revenge on a platter of bowel-clearing desserts. Employees interviewed by assekuranzbrief said there was brewing tension between the departing colleague and the brownie baker.Did anyone actually eat these digestive disasters? Thankfully not. The police were tipped off to the womans devious plot by her company,MMI Engineered Solutions before sh e could get away with it. The local Saline, Michigan, police chief Jerrod Hart said the company confiscated the brownies before they could be eaten by any unsuspecting employees.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.The employee initially denied her brownies purgative properties, but confessed after police said they would forensically test the brownies contents.A lot of times you see it in movies or TV shows where someone tries to do this or play a joke, but its very serious, Hart said. Its a criminal act.Maybe next time your coworker annoys you, try the more legal options of journaling or talking it out before you decide to bake your rage out.