Can we verify employment without employee consent? 03-07-2007

I am wondering if it is okay to verify employment for an employee without written consent. Example: Collection company calls and asks if an employee is employed here. Can I disclose if she/he is employed for our company without written or verbal consent from that employee?

Rita Risser replies:

Employers have always done so without consent, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is right or legal. The question is whether that information is considered private. I don't think it would be considered private because anyone could follow that person to their workplace and observe they go in for 8 hours a day every day. All of their co-workers know they are employed as well. In other words, it is not information known to few if any people, therefore it is not private. Similarly, believe it or not, home address is not considered private because all your neighbors know where you live, and someone could follow you home to find out where you live (however, I don't recommend giving out home addresses.) However, to get a definitive answer you should contact a local attorney. Good luck.

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