In New York State is it legal for a former employer to give more than start date, end date and resigned or fired? For example can they give disciplinary history and opinion of you? I know the corporate ruling for this company is that they can't give more than that. How would signing an information release play into it?

Are you asking because this happened to you, or is this a hypothetical question?

It happened.

If you signed a release then you are allowing the previous company to release any pertinent information about you to the inquiring company.

Does that include a very negative opinion of me from someone who was known to have a problem with me when other references from other bosses at this place gave good references?

You need to be more specific. Who had a problem with you? Was it a supervisor? Was it your boss? Are they saying things that aren't true?

Does that include a very negative opinion of me from someone who was known to have a problem with me when other references from other bosses at this place gave good references??


If you signed a blanket (unrestricted release) they are entitled to anything and everything the company has on its records about you, including information from and by other employees.

I am in NYS; I do these investigations on a somewhat regular basis. Once you sign that info can be released there is no liability.

Most employment applications for background searches will include permission to do background search