Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington
employment background
Is it legal for a potential employer to contact a previous employer about the potential employee?
Asked on 5/31/07, 12:50 pm
2 Answers from Attorneys
Susan Beecher
Susan L. Beecher, Atty at Law
Re: employment background
Yes. A potential employer does not need the potential employee's permission to check references. The potential employer cannot ask questions that it could not legally ask the job applicant directly, but can ask about job performance, qualifications, etc.
A resume would not be of much use if the employer could not legally verify the applicant's claims.
Answered on 5/31/07, 1:18 pm
Merry Kogut
Key Peninsula Law
Re: employment background
Ms. Beecher is correct.
Answered on 5/31/07, 3:29 pm