By Lisa Carlson Updated August 08, 2018
It's almost inevitable that when you apply for a job, you'll be asked to undergo a background check before you can officially have an offer from that employer. But what happens if the check goes awry? Do you call the company? Do you call your future employer? You can take some steps to help the background check come back with the necessary information.
Contact Background Check Company
Contact the company hired to do the background check directly. Normally the process these companies use is to contact the employers first and request the dates of employment and salary. If the employer does not respond or cannot be reached, the company can require you, as the employee, to provide copies of W-2s for every year you were employed, usually to be submitted within 48 hours. Background checks can span anywhere from two to 10 years of history, but they normally go back to check five years of employment and 10 years of criminal history.
If you suspect the background check has been unable to verify dates of employment for a certain employer, contact the background check company and ask what you can do to facilitate the process. They may ask for additional information, ask you to contact the employer directly, or request copies of your W-2s.
Contact Employers in Question
If the background check company is having a difficult time reaching your previous employer, try the employer yourself. There may be an operational blunder holding up the information. Has the company recently changed ownership? If so, the employment records held under the former management could have been filed in archives. Have the personnel who employed you since moved on from the company? Contact the HR department and see what kind of files the company still holds on you.
Visit Your Local IRS Office
If you can't contact the employer, or if they just don't have you on record anymore, request copies of the W-2s from your dates of employment from your local IRS office. If you don't have a local office, order transcripts of your tax returns online. It can take five to 10 business days for the form to be mailed to you.
Talk With Your Future Employer
Above all else, be upfront with your future employer. If it seems like you're being evasive or elusive about your employment, or if the company starts to get a sense that your work history is a bit spottier than you made it seem, you could be in danger of losing your job offer.
Be direct and bring the issue to the table. Explain as fully as you can why the background check company is having difficulties verifying dates. A hard-to-get-hold-of former employer is something a company can easily overlook, but the appearance of a shady disposition will turn your future employer off.
FAQs
If you suspect the background check has been unable to verify dates of employment for a certain employer, contact the background check company and ask what you can do to facilitate the process. They may ask for additional information, ask you to contact the employer directly, or request copies of your W-2s.
What happens if an employer doesn't respond to employment verification? ›
Employment-Verification Laws: The Basics
Employers who fail to respond to federal employment-verification requests can suffer fines and denial of government contracts for up to one year.
What if employment verification fails? ›
Companies may withdraw a job offer if a candidate fails the background check, as this may suggest that the candidate is unsuitable for the position. Legal consequences: Falsifying information on a job application or résumé may result in legal consequences.
What is employment date discrepancy on background check? ›
A discrepancy appears when dates on your resume or job application do not match the records obtained during an employment verification process. This can include differences in start or end dates for previous positions. It is crucial for you to review your employment history and ensure all dates are listed accurately.
How do I know if I failed my background check? ›
If the potential employer decides not to hire you based on the results from the background check, they must provide you with a notice of "adverse action" and a copy of the background report, along with a summary of your rights under the FCRA.
What if I am unable to verify employment dates? ›
If you suspect the background check has been unable to verify dates of employment for a certain employer, contact the background check company and ask what you can do to facilitate the process. They may ask for additional information, ask you to contact the employer directly, or request copies of your W-2s.
What if I don't get a response from my employer after background check? ›
You can feel free to send a follow-up email if you do not get any update even after one week. If you still do not get any response, it means your employer is still engaged in the background checks of other applicants. Hence, you must wait for at least a week to follow up next time for the required details.
What is a red flag on a background check? ›
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
Can a job offer be withdrawn after a background check? ›
If a background check reveals information that a company deems inappropriate, then they might rescind an offer. This reason could include incorrect or misleading information on the original application.
Why would a company reject a candidate based on a background check? ›
Poor driving record.
Other reasons for a failed background check could include poor credit history, false employment history, or failed drug tests. Any of these reasons can justify not hiring a candidate. But to do so without violating federal or state law, you need to know how to reject them correctly.
Ensuring your work history is accurate and up-to-date is critically important when undergoing a background check. Any discrepancies between the work history you provide and what the background check uncovers could raise red flags with potential employers.
What if I lied about my employment dates? ›
Lying might result in you being added to a do-not-hire list, which can make it challenging for you to pursue other opportunities within the organization. Additionally, the hiring manager may inform other organizations in their network about your dishonesty.
What if I made an error on my background check? ›
It's best to notify the employer straightaway and provide evidence to prove the information is wrong, then, together, you can move forward to get the background check results corrected. Don't wait on this part, though, because the employer is under no obligation during the 60-day period to hold the job open for you.
What to do if your employer is not responding? ›
You should wait to hear back from the employer by the date they have already provided you. If you have not heard back from them by that date give it another business day and follow up with them.
When must an employer respond to a verification of employment request? ›
However, if a request for employment verification comes from another party, such as an employer, landlord or mortgage lender, there aren't laws and regulations that require employers to respond to an employment verification request.
What happens if HR does not respond? ›
When HR disregards your complaints, be sure to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may investigate your employer and seek evidence, and may even recommend mediation so a resolution can be reached with the assistance of an objective third party.
What does it mean if an employer doesn't respond? ›
There's the possibility that the company experienced some major changes and no longer has the budget to hire you. Or, they decided to fill the position with an internal candidate. It's also possible that the company has frozen hiring or is going through restructuring.
