Pre-employment screening-any experience of this?

[howshouldibehave]

Has anyone ever has any experience of pre employment screening? I am interested in what exactly they might ask about previous employments--is it likely they would ask for reasons for leaving past jobs?

My DSis is going for a job and had a tricky incident at work three years ago. She left this job having been there for two years after a bit of a row with the boss-it was a mutual decision for her to leave, but probably counts as being sacked so she was able to claim jobseeker's allowance. The company agreed to write her a non damaging reference and she landed a good job straight afterwards which she's been in for three years, though unfortunately, due to the state of this subsequent company's financial affairs, has just been made redundant along with several others-nothing to do with her performance and she will get a good reference.

Anyway-she has just had an interview with a company who use Vero screening (I think) and she's concerned what will be flagged up with regard to this job as they look at all employers in the last 5 years. Is it likely they will ask 1. Did Janet Smith work for you between these dates and 2. Why did she leave?

Then in that case-they will have to say she was fired :(

What do these companies ask??

[howshouldibehave]

I've found this basic sample reference request-it's pretty extensive :(

I presume that a company hired specifically to do pre-screen checks for prospective employees would probably do an even more in-depth one. This gives employers carte blanche to criticise a previous employee without them knowing or being able to defend themselves :(

[howshouldibehave]

jobsearch.about.com/od/referencesrecommendations/a/reference-check-form.htm

[hermioneweasley]

Most references are very basic now, but most do still give reason for leaving.

She might be best to come clean and address it in advance to show that she's professional and mature.

[howshouldibehave]

Thank you. I suppose you are right. I wonder what an employer would write if they had no idea why an employee left-just 'left to seek alternative employment'??

[hermioneweasley]

I am confused about her reason for leaving the first job. It doesn't sound like she was actually fired, and why would they now have "no idea" why she left?

[howshouldibehave]

Sorry-my last comment wasn't related to her, just hypothetically wondering if employers in general always knew the reason for employees leaving. Eg I left my first teaching post because the deputy head was a complete bitch, but obviously they didn't know that was my reason ;)

[Redcliff]

Unless she was fired (and it does seem unsure) I wouldn't say anything. She could e-mail her old boss and ask what he would put on a refrence in terms of "reason for leaving" and then go from there?

[robinhoodintheneighbourhood]

No one should feel intimidated by employment screening. Is that how Vero Screening made you feel? If it is the case the Company should revise their conduct and practise or be reported.

Employers can not give you bad references (against the law). There are good and bad employers out there and the law must also protect you from people misusing rights to discretion and even misusing their position and power. I call it simply abuse. Abuse is about the misuse of power and control that one person has over you and also your future.

[Tamali]

Hi, I know this post is nearly 2 years ago but does OP have any update on this situation and how it turned out?