Can I check references after I hire someone? 12-05-2007

I am the Escrow Manager. My boss asked me to interview a girl and then tell him if I liked her. I said yes. He hired her. Now since I am the manager can I call her previous employer and check her references? Without going thru HR who has the employee file? What type of questions can I ask her previous employer?

Rita Risser replies:

This seems backwards. Why would you hire someone and then check references? If you are unhappy with her performance, document, counsel, warn, fire. If you are happy with her performance, why bother? In any event, HR should at least know you are calling. In California you can ask any job-related questions.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.