When I started my position, almost a year ago, no background check was even mention. I found out that last week a background check was requested without my knowledge or permission..is this legal in Massachusetts?

When I started my position, almost a year ago, no background check was even mention. I found out that last week a background check was requested without my knowledge or permission..is this legal in Massachusetts?

Yes, this can be done at anytime. It could be that they are considering you for a position, that a background check would be necessary for?? I don't recall any laws that state they can not do this, so sorry!

It depends, actually.

If they had a third party run the check, they had to have your written permission. That's Federal law. But if they ran the check themselves, they don't have to have your permission or even your knowledge.

There is no law saying that if they don't do it at hire, they can't ever do one. They can do a background check whenever they want; annually if they choose. The only caveat is that if they're going to hire a third party to run the check, they have to have your authorization.

To the best of my knowledge, however, you can be fired for refusing to sign the authorization. Phil?

Background was done by a bank via employers request.

Most standard hiring paperwork provides for the possibility of a background check to be run as necessary.

Are you certain you didn't sign anything?

Nothing was ever signed or mentioned. I have original paper work from February 2006 and I started in April 2006.

11 months nothing..business as usual and then hit from left field.

Basically they got what they wanted out of me and then out the door.

No explaination ....nada

It depends, actually.

If they had a third party run the check, they had to have your written permission. That's Federal law. But if they ran the check themselves, they don't have to have your permission or even your knowledge.

There is no law saying that if they don't do it at hire, they can't ever do one. They can do a background check whenever they want; annually if they choose. The only caveat is that if they're going to hire a third party to run the check, they have to have your authorization.

To the best of my knowledge, however, you can be fired for refusing to sign the authorization. Phil?

Thanks CBG!!