Comments on: New reference check scams even HR pros are falling for http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/ The worst mistakes, catastrophes, and near-misses Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:23:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: THC http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-13834 THC Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:48:35 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-13834 It hurts me to only give dates of employment and position held on unfavorable individuals. I understand the law and ramifications of the situation at Best Buy. It was very unprofessional for this type of reference check to be given. My "do-the-right-thing" side of my personality wants to protect other employers from going through the heartache we have had to endure from embezzlers, psychopaths and sexual deviants. I would wish a world where when I do an employment check that the person would answer truthfully and professionally to the REAL reason why there was a seperation of employment and would you hire this person again. I can DREAM, can't I? It hurts me to only give dates of employment and position held on unfavorable individuals. I understand the law and ramifications of the situation at Best Buy. It was very unprofessional for this type of reference check to be given. My “do-the-right-thing” side of my personality wants to protect other employers from going through the heartache we have had to endure from embezzlers, psychopaths and sexual deviants. I would wish a world where when I do an employment check that the person would answer truthfully and professionally to the REAL reason why there was a seperation of employment and would you hire this person again. I can DREAM, can’t I?

]]> By: Kyle http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-13771 Kyle Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:21:07 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-13771 I've worked in HR for a few years, and the best policy seems to be that it is okay to give performance-based information (employee was unorganized, often late, but had great team working skills and solid communication) but generally not a good idea to give specific information regarding a termination or disciplinary actions. I’ve worked in HR for a few years, and the best policy seems to be that it is okay to give performance-based information (employee was unorganized, often late, but had great team working skills and solid communication) but generally not a good idea to give specific information regarding a termination or disciplinary actions.

]]> By: Deb http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-5402 Deb Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:11:30 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-5402 Oh, I forgot to mention. The only redeeming factor is that the HR Staff member who provided the email reference clearly states that she will get fired if she got caught - admitting to knowing it was against company policy to give out this much detail. Even so this does not diminish the damage caused to the former employee in their job search. Oh, I forgot to mention. The only redeeming factor is that the HR Staff member who provided the email reference clearly states that she will get fired if she got caught – admitting to knowing it was against company policy to give out this much detail. Even so this does not diminish the damage caused to the former employee in their job search.

]]> By: Deb http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-5401 Deb Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:59:47 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-5401 Whether the employee was a good employee, mediocre employee, or just plain bad employee, this company will probably lose this lawsuit because of the lack of professionalism demonstated and recorded by the HR Manager. Using the word "sucked" and telling the individual via email "not to tell anyone where the information came from" demonstrates a very, very high level of poor judgement and petty behavior. This one email, in my opinion, totally destroys the company's credibility. That is going to hurt in court. Whether the employee was a good employee, mediocre employee, or just plain bad employee, this company will probably lose this lawsuit because of the lack of professionalism demonstated and recorded by the HR Manager. Using the word “sucked” and telling the individual via email “not to tell anyone where the information came from” demonstrates a very, very high level of poor judgement and petty behavior. This one email, in my opinion, totally destroys the company’s credibility. That is going to hurt in court.

]]> By: Lynne Ferguson http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-4956 Lynne Ferguson Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:13:58 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-4956 I filed a "Gender Discrimination" case against my former company shortly after being placed on a 90-day Improvement Plan that included 5 trumped-up charges in which one manager did not agree with what the other wrote. My other two peers where shocked to discover this after I had them fill-out a survey on my work performance for 2007 and were also stunned to discover that I also had not received a well earned bonus for work done in 2007 in addition to producing a video that got our division additional funding (from the company's board members) while all 4 males received substantial bonuses. When the 90-plan was up I was let go by HR indicating my job had been eliminated due to a slump in the housing market and downsizing (and indicated the lay-off had nothing to do with the pending gender discrimination suit). Now I am interiewing for new jobs and passing the screener calls and having great interviews but everything stops after that. My personal references aren't being checked, but I am assuming the last job listed on my resume is being checked and HR must be revealing things that are stopping me from getting the job. I was the hardest and best worker this division had and was often asked to implement a new methodology after receiving only 5-days of training while all the males got training from start to finish on their jobs using this new methodology to the tune of $50.,000 -$100,000. Any advice? (I have hired a labor lawyer, and so far it has taken 3 months to get the company that layed-me off to even come close to accepting my terms based on the fact that I was discriminated against based on my gender). Should this go to court, the company will have a hard time justifying the 5-points in the 90-Day Improvement Plan and why they did nothing to help me improve after the plan was given to me. They will also have to justify why nothing was mentioned in 2007 that there was a problem with my performance and why they gave me $2, 200 bonus in December 2007. (The males also got bonuses at that time) I filed a “Gender Discrimination” case against my former company shortly after being placed on a 90-day Improvement Plan that included 5 trumped-up charges in which one manager did not agree with what the other wrote. My other two peers where shocked to discover this after I had them fill-out a survey on my work performance for 2007 and were also stunned to discover that I also had not received a well earned bonus for work done in 2007 in addition to producing a video that got our division additional funding (from the company’s board members) while all 4 males received substantial bonuses.

When the 90-plan was up I was let go by HR indicating my job had been eliminated due to a slump in the housing market and downsizing (and indicated the lay-off had nothing to do with the pending gender discrimination suit).

Now I am interiewing for new jobs and passing the screener calls and having great interviews but everything stops after that. My personal references aren’t being checked, but I am assuming the last job listed on my resume is being checked and HR must be revealing things that are stopping me from getting the job.

I was the hardest and best worker this division had and was often asked to implement a new methodology after receiving only 5-days of training while all the males got training from start to finish on their jobs using this new methodology to the tune of $50.,000 -$100,000.

Any advice?
(I have hired a labor lawyer, and so far it has taken 3 months to get the company that layed-me off to even come close to accepting my terms based on the fact that I was discriminated against based on my gender).

Should this go to court, the company will have a hard time justifying the 5-points in the 90-Day Improvement Plan and why they did nothing to help me improve after the plan was given to me.

They will also have to justify why nothing was mentioned in 2007 that there was a problem with my performance and why they gave me $2, 200 bonus in December 2007. (The males also got bonuses at that time)

]]> By: HR in IL http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-2112 HR in IL Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:01:56 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-2112 I seriously doubt the corporate office at Best Buy knew that this representative was giving unauthorized references on former employees. The best outcome would be for Best Buy to immediately terminate this individual and file suit for breach of confidentiality. The person can also possibly be sued for defamation by Oliveri. Companies should adapt policies that ALL former employee references are first checked by their legal department, and/or have a written authorization from the former employee. I seriously doubt the corporate office at Best Buy knew that this representative was giving unauthorized references on former employees. The best outcome would be for Best Buy to immediately terminate this individual and file suit for breach of confidentiality. The person can also possibly be sued for defamation by Oliveri.

Companies should adapt policies that ALL former employee references are first checked by their legal department, and/or have a written authorization from the former employee.

]]> By: Tom Cloutier http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-675 Tom Cloutier Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:51:17 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-675 Kudos to the former employee to have insight to devise such a "sting"! What HR professionals need to realize is that employees of this era are extremely savvy in regards to employment law. We have to represent our companies with the true professionalism. Best Buy's response was wrong and inappropriate on so-o-o-o many levels! I'm embarrassed for them... Kudos to the former employee to have insight to devise such a “sting”!
What HR professionals need to realize is that employees of this era are extremely savvy in regards to employment law. We have to represent our companies with the true professionalism.
Best Buy’s response was wrong and inappropriate on so-o-o-o many levels!
I’m embarrassed for them…

]]> By: HR Dallas http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-674 HR Dallas Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:39:10 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-674 Oh dear. This is unbelievable. I am in a mid-sized company, and am the only person authorized to provide VOEs. I will answer rudimentary questions via phone (i.e., hire/termination date), but must have authorization in writing before I dig much deeper. This was the epitome of unprofessionalism. Unbelievable indeed. Oh dear. This is unbelievable. I am in a mid-sized company, and am the only person authorized to provide VOEs. I will answer rudimentary questions via phone (i.e., hire/termination date), but must have authorization in writing before I dig much deeper. This was the epitome of unprofessionalism. Unbelievable indeed.

]]> By: Michele http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-669 Michele Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:16:27 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-669 I agree with what everyone said however, in industries that are a small network where everyone knows everyone, people will find a way to get around the treditionaly processes and get the so call load down on an x-employee. Many times it can be at a social networking or educational conf. Once the damage is done, there is very little a person can do but utilize the legal process. I am not sure why people feel it neccessary to do things such as described. There is more to it then this is just a poor performer. The giver of the reference that feels driven to be so descriptive has something aganist the ex. Just my observations. I agree with what everyone said however, in industries that are a small network where everyone knows everyone, people will find a way to get around the treditionaly processes and get the so call load down on an x-employee. Many times it can be at a social networking or educational conf. Once the damage is done, there is very little a person can do but utilize the legal process. I am not sure why people feel it neccessary to do things such as described. There is more to it then this is just a poor performer. The giver of the reference that feels driven to be so descriptive has something aganist the ex. Just my observations.

]]> By: Referral hid employee’s drug use: 5 mil verdict | HRBlunders.com | The worst mistakes, catastrophes, and near-misses http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-653 Referral hid employee’s drug use: 5 mil verdict | HRBlunders.com | The worst mistakes, catastrophes, and near-misses Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:09:34 +0000 http://www.hrblunders.com/reference-checks-would-you-have-fallen-for-this-scam/#comment-653 [...] Blunders has already written about how badmouthing a former employee can get a company in trouble. The opposite — giving a glowing recommendation that glosses [...] [...] Blunders has already written about how badmouthing a former employee can get a company in trouble. The opposite — giving a glowing recommendation that glosses [...]

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