What if former companies don't reply to prospective employers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 900,000-tons-of-steel, Oct 14, 2012.

  1. 900,000-tons-of-steel

    900,000-tons-of-steel Road Train Member

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    I've seen this in other industries and after reading many posts about companies shortchanging drivers and WRONGLY screwing up their DAC reports, how does a prospective employer handle it if one's current or former company doesn't respond to inquiries and checks about the driver's performance at that company? Also, when I've applied for jobs in the past (in another industry) I've always checked NO to "Can we contact your current employer" and told them the truth on how I felt ... I did not want my current company to know I was looking for other employment. What happens if the current company gives a poor reference simply because they don't want you leaving or like the aforementioned, refuses to even reply? I see on many truck company applications they don't even ask if they can contact the former truck company as it's a given that they WILL contact them. I've seen some applications that go to former employees asking about character, neatness, image and all kinds of other traits with a grading system of "Excellent, good, fair, average" etc. Seems to me like the margin of error is great. For example, I was reading another thread yesterday about a snot-nosed secretary who answers the phones at one company and fields calls from prospective employees and in the example I'm referring, refused to even speak to the driver about getting hired there. Given the poor working relationship some drivers have with their dispatchers, what about the office snot who nobody likes or gets along with who has the authority to open the mail and forward it (or not) to the proper channels? She could take that inquiry and effectively zero out a good driver looking for work elsewhere. It seems that this potential for abuse is greater than not. How do you drivers handle these situations, especially when all is not rosy at your current job and you're looking for employment elsewhere?
     
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  3. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    It's not going to happen. They'll respond, or face the consequences. And there are consequences.
     
  4. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Responding isn't the same as responding truthfully. I've had former employers lie about me and my performance. I've lost opportunities due to these lies, and outside of the court system there is no recourse.
     
  5. 900,000-tons-of-steel

    900,000-tons-of-steel Road Train Member

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    I'm lost regarding your response. Are you saying companies are legally bound by law to respond to potential employers checking on employees?
     
  6. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    And there are consequences. It's called slander. A lawyer can address this better.

    Been there done that. Own the T-shirt.
     
  7. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    what if the company (company's hauling division) you worked for was sold to another company, and the remnant company you worked for provides no info and acts as though you were never employed with "them" because "them" no longer exists in their eyes?
     
  8. wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    If you're speaking of FMCSA consequences,there is virtually none. They are required but enforcement is nil. 11-12 years ago swift used an in-house past employment verification system(was not entering the info to DAC) Required 20.00 to get the info from them. FMCSA said to fax/mail verification and document. Then verify employment by other means.
     
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  9. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    If you are in the position of being able to afford a lawyer. Some people are not in this position. And in my area, the only thing that matters in the "legal" system is the amount of money and clout you bring to the table.
     
    900,000-tons-of-steel Thanks this.
  10. musicgal

    musicgal Road Train Member

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    My present company (been there for 1.5 months) tried 3 times to get my last company to acknowledge that I worked there.....the person in charge of doing this told me she is only required to ask 3 times and then she can quit asking.
     
  11. FozzyNOK

    FozzyNOK Road Train Member

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    W2 will prove you worked there. If the company will not offer anything (good or bad) you can prove your work history with the W2's
     
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