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scograd
06-07-2007, 01:01 PM
I just called an applicants former place of employment- another optometric office. I only asked if that employee would be re-eligible for employment in that office. I was told by the office manager that "it's against the law for her to tell me that." I wasn't asking for any information as to why or why not. She "could only tell me that she worked there". I'm assuming its a big fat "no, don't hire her," but to my understanding, and my book "Business Aspects of Optometry" that is a perfectly fair question. Does anyone else know what exactly the law is? And how am I supposed to check references if that's all I get????
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Steve Machol
06-07-2007, 01:22 PM
Was the employer in California? If so, then I believe all they are allowed to give by law are the dates of employment. Other states may have similar laws.
OpticLabRat
06-07-2007, 01:27 PM
Was the employer in California? If so, then I believe all they are allowed to give by law are the dates of employment. Other states may have similar laws.


DITTO......
Steve is right
ziggy
06-07-2007, 01:46 PM
A lot of employers will instruct the office manager only to give out the dates the person was employed, this way they dont have to worry about any problems. From my experience, If they dont say something nice then you can assume that, if they were able, they would say something negative.
cocoisland58
06-07-2007, 03:15 PM
All you are required to give are the dates of employment but you can bet that if this employee were a gem you would be hearing about it.
rbaker
06-07-2007, 03:16 PM
Dates of employment only.

Don’t listen to John Classe or anyone else. They won’t have to go into court to defend you in a lawsuit. The business climate has been shifting to favor the employee and I really see no end in site. Just remember:
Don’t write when you can speak.
Don’t speak when you can nod.
Don’t nod when you can wink
Most importantly “I can’t remember” or simply take the “fifth”
1968
06-07-2007, 04:22 PM
Was the employer in California? If so, then I believe all they are allowed to give by law are the dates of employment. Other states may have similar laws.

"Allowed" or "required"?
For-Life
06-08-2007, 11:51 PM
hmm, so it sounds like the potential employee wrote down a reference without checking. Never a good thing