Legal Question in Employment Law in Massachusetts

Background check, W-2 information

Hello,

I have been interviewed by a financial services company for a non-finance related job (Information Technology related) and am required to sign a waiver which allows the potential employer to check for: criminal background, credit scores, and employment history. Even if a ''waiver'' is singed, aren't my credit reports and past income tax statements private? Can an employer get a copy of my W-2 statement(s) from past jobs? Can an employer get a copy of my past income statements? Can an employer ask for the name and phone number of a past supervisor? If so, what is the limit to which the potential employer may question the past employer? I thought that past employers could only verify dates of employment and nothing else, is that true? It is disturbing to think that a potential employer could have access to such detailed information (personal and financial) about a candidate when those details have nothing to do with the job.


Asked on 10/26/04, 1:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

William McLeod McLeod Law Offices, PC

Re: Background check, W-2 information

They are private and not accessible - unless you consent. It if not uncommon for certain positions in the financial sector to require such consent.

Read more
Answered on 10/26/04, 5:19 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in Massachusetts