Tech IndustryDec 28, 2017
Microsoftpicpicpic

Background Check: contact current employer (MS, FB)

I am at Microsoft now and Facebook is doing a background check on me (via HireRight). Is it safe to allow them to contact "my current employer" for employment verification? I am only worried if they contact and Microsoft HR finds out that I am planning to go to FB and they will walk me out immediately. Lots of people left Microsoft to Facebook. What did you do during the background check?

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Chase LRIs57 Dec 28, 2017

When you fill out your background check forms there is a small button which says “don’t contact current employer” click on it. In such cases, the background verification service will ask for your most recent paycheck and all available W2s for the tenure and this will close the loop on verification of current employment. If you missed the button, then every company will have a 1-800 number that provides basic employment history such as date of hire, current title, location, etc. this number is usually not monitored by HR. You can give that number to background verification service.

Microsoft **nutella* Dec 28, 2017

Nope.. They don't ask for any written confirmation..

Snapchat SomeEng Dec 28, 2017

You have the option to not have them call. It's literally on the form. How'd you get an offer from FB if basic reading is this challenging?

Microsoft picpicpic OP Dec 28, 2017

Ah kid you are so funny. Guess what? I know there is another option. That's why I asked if it is safe to do the option to allow them to contact.

Facebook public Dec 28, 2017

Le sigh

AT&T DDM2K Dec 28, 2017

They never clarify if “may we contact” is strictly for employment verification or if it is asking for more than that.

Genentech icqJ06 Dec 28, 2017

When in doubt, cut it out. Why do you want your next to talk to your ex? And why are you even asking about it? Isn't that a no-brainer?

Microsoft picpicpic OP Dec 28, 2017

It is just very easy to allow to contact. Otherwise I need to find and attach my w2, pay stubs. Also none of them have information about my title. So I assume they will need something else for the title verification (my old offer letter? Screen from the internal hrweb?). So it is just simple to agree to contact. And I am wondering what other people did and whether anyone had any issues with that.

Microsoft picpicpic OP Dec 28, 2017

And btw I already attached all this shit and did not allow to contact. Still interesting to see what other people did.

Google liam Dec 28, 2017

Don't allow em to contact, HireRight are totally unprofessional.

Facebook KurisuM Dec 28, 2017

Why do you say that?

Google liam Dec 30, 2017

Personal experience.

Microsoft Schumach Dec 28, 2017

Is this the same dude changing nicks or is there a staggering amount of msft people moving to FB? Couple of posts a day atleast!

Microsoft mbta15 Dec 28, 2017

Judging by how often FB recruiters ping me, could be the latter.

Amazon tits.ai Dec 28, 2017

My background check report was full of "minor deception" comments when I got my FB offer. It's up to HR to be competent enough to figure out if there is an issue. In my case my University reported a master's degree a month later than I wrote and some past employers even have wrong information on dates, usually off by a month or two. It's not a big deal. Just tell them not to contact.

Microsoft yfUI287 Dec 29, 2017

I checked "do not contact" and sent them a screenshot of my employment profile page from HR Web. They never asked for salary info just starting dates, title and so on. I had no problem that I know of since they never shared the background check results.

Facebook RedEobin Dec 31, 2017

Same here, I just sent them pdf of my W2

Intel GOTNOGOT May 25, 2019

Do you have to whiteout ssn etc?

Microsoft bday Aug 19, 2021

What is W2?