i had an interview with this home health agency about 2 weeks ago. they called me yesterday and said that they have trouble getting references from my past hospitals that i worked for. they said that they have faxed a reference request form (?) to these hospitals but the hospitals have not faxed it back to the agency yet.
the agency then asked me to submit my w2 form and my pay stub from these hospitals to verify my employment. i thought the agency could just call the hr of these hospitals to ask my past employment status, but, anyway, if the agency do not call, i just need to send w2 and pay stubs to them. i will send my copy of w2 form and pay stubs to them today as requested.
i am just wondering whether submitting w-2 and pay stubs to prospective employer common.
Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.
"First, yes, it's legal for an employer to give a negative reference as long as it's factually accurate. It's true that some companies have policies that they will only confirm dates of employment and job duties and will not comment on the employee's performance--but (a) these policies are simply policies, not the law, and (b) good reference-checkers know how to get around them, by asking the candidate to arrange a direct call with the candidate's former manager."
Don't think it's too common - I've only had it come up one time in 23 years, and that was because the company did a complete restructuring and proceeded to destroy all of their former employee records. So - handed 'em a paystub & W-2; they replied with an acceptance letter, and off to work I went!
Far as "can a prior employer give a negative review"? Yep - quite legal, so long as it's factual. They typically don't, in my experience (typically an employer has little to gain by giving a negative review, and could potentially lose a lot with the potential for lawsuits), but there are informal ways to get at least some feedback from supervisors, co-workers, etc. BTDTGTTS.
No way do I give out W2 information until I've signed an offer letter.
Go to your past employers HR; ask them to draft a letter showing dates of employment, title, duties, and rehire eligibility. Your compensation rate is something I don't give out period.
The letter should have a working contact information including a voice contact not a voice mailbox.
the w2 form that the agency wants me to send is 2007’s and 2006’s, about several years ago’s:). after i quit these hospitals i have worked for a few different places until now. when i was hired by these newer places i have never been asked to submit any w2 or paystubs, and other companies that i had an interview with did not ask me to do it either and that is why i feel a little reluctant to do it. i will probably submit them eventually though because i want more jobs!! i have another interview next week with a different agency and will see how it goes too…
Don't think it's too common - I've only had it come up one time in 23 years, and that was because the company did a complete restructuring and proceeded to destroy all of their former employee records. So - handed 'em a paystub & W-2; they replied with an acceptance letter, and off to work I went!
Far as "can a prior employer give a negative review"? Yep - quite legal, so long as it's factual. They typically don't, in my experience (typically an employer has little to gain by giving a negative review, and could potentially lose a lot with the potential for lawsuits), but there are informal ways to get at least some feedback from supervisors, co-workers, etc. BTDTGTTS.
----- Dave
That's pretty much how it happened with me. They didn't actually keep or even read the stubs...I think seeing 5 years' worth of them in a neat pile was proof enough for them that I did work there.
And you're right about the informal word-of-mouth way of getting feedback on someone. Nursing is a much smaller world than we think and you'd be surprised who knows who.
Both those years should just about be off the radar by now. I just filled out an application that stated I only needed to list employers for the last five years. I would concentrate on dealing with employers that are not making odd requests. Good luck.
HonestRN
454 Posts
"First, yes, it's legal for an employer to give a negative reference as long as it's factually accurate. It's true that some companies have policies that they will only confirm dates of employment and job duties and will not comment on the employee's performance--but (a) these policies are simply policies, not the law, and (b) good reference-checkers know how to get around them, by asking the candidate to arrange a direct call with the candidate's former manager."
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2008/09/22/what-to-do-about-a-bad-reference