How to be removed from an employers do-not-rehire list
- What is a do-not-rehire list?
- Reasons why employees are put on a do-not-rehire list
- How to find out if you are on a company's do-not-rehire list
- How to negotiate removing your name from a do not rehire list
- When your prior boss is also the owner of the company
- Other tactics to be removed from a do-not-hire list
Company blacklist or 'do-not-rehire' list
What can you do to get off the list? Here are strategies to get your status changed and get back to work!
Returning to a former employer might seem like the easiest way to get back to work. If you’re hitting a wall trying to get back to a previous job, you could be on the company’s do-not-rehire list. Keep in mind that do-not-hire lists are NOT governed by law, so companies have flexibility in how they maintain and enforce them.
What is a do-not-rehire list?
Many employers use a do-not-rehire list to flag job applicants to human resources, hiring managers, and recruiters. The do-not-rehire list prevents these former employees from being rehired at the company.
Reasons why employees are put on a do-not-rehire list
Typical reasons for exiting employees being put on a do-not-hire list include:
Failing to give two weeks notice when resigning can land you on a blacklist. Some employers are 'strict' about having at least a full 14 days notice; and giving them 13 days may result in your name being added to their do-not-rehire list
Attendance rules during the two week notice period are the same as during regular employment. If there are any instances of unexcused absences during the final days of employment, the employer may add you to the list
Failing to return company property on or before the last day; or surrendering company property to the wrong person
Disciplinary issues during employment: chronic tardiness, not following company rules or standards
Incomplete documents or protocols, like participating in an exit interview
Incorrect records or reporting for any reason: notice periods, attendance / scheduling / vacation, company property, employee discipline and performance, etc.
Often previous there are justified reasons, a misunderstanding or miscommunication that leads to blacklisting.
How to find out if you are on a company's do-not-rehire list
To get the job back, or in some cases get a different job at the same company, you may want to know if you are on the employer's blacklist. With this information you can work toward changing your status, and get back to work.
Contact the HR department and speak to a human resources manager. Do-not-hire lists usually are tracked in HR systems.
Example conversation to ask if you're on a company do-not-rehire list
“I worked for {Company X} for *{three years} *from {September 2017 to August 2020}. I’m eager to return to {Company X}, but I’m having trouble getting an interview. Can you tell me if I’m flagged as ‘do not rehire’?”
If the answer is yes, follow up with, “Can you please tell me why?”
If the answer is no, you may want to review your resume and application, and ensure you’re applying for jobs you have the proper skills and experience for.
How to negotiate removing your name from a do not rehire list
Call the company’s central human resources (HR) department and be sure you are speaking with a human resources manager and not a talent acquisition person or hiring manager. A corporate HR employee may have access to more information, and specifically about your status. Speak openly with the HR representative and ask what can be done to change your status. Refer to the list above, be prepared to clearly explain misunderstandings, and try to present the facts with neutrality.
Example conversation to request being removed from a company's do-not-rehire list
“I understand that I’m on the company’s do-no-rehire list, but I’m excited about potentially returning to the company in the position of {third shift stocker}. Can we discuss the circumstances around my status? I have a reasonable explanation for* {only giving 10 days notice before my prior resignation}*. I’d like you to consider changing my status so I can interview for the position.”
It’s critical to be honest and open. Do not blame anyone else; talk only about your behaviors and what you know happened.
When your prior boss is also the owner of the company
The same principles apply for small and medium businesses as corporations. Instead of contacting HR, however, you’ll likely speak directly the owner. Be upfront about what you are looking to achieve and ask if there’s anything you can do to change their mind and remove you from the list.
Other tactics to be removed from a do-not-hire list
If a few years have passed, apply again. Management may have changed over the years, and it could be worthwhile to contact an HR manager to see you can change your status
Try applying at a different location or for a role in a different department
Ask a connection for help. If you've kept in contact with someone at the company, they may be willing to recommend you for a current position. A reference from a trusted employee could help.
Comments
I got fired for report the manager and other issues, so I moved on! One day I seen Manager and I asked her if she had a part-time job ( she told me they wasn't hiring at that time! So months later I call a different store and I was told to put in application!( I did) days later I met Lady! And it was a Blessing one of her Employees that been there year's told manager to Hire me! ( I was so happy) She was busy asked me to come back next day!( Manager I worked with 2020 sent employee to get something from that store ( employee seen me said hello) And went back to the Store and told manager I was there! So that manager called the Lady who hired me! That she Blocked me (2025) after I got Hired! HELP Please
I was laid off from my job during the pandemic. I was told layoff's were company wide due to economics of that time. To be clear, I was not fired, I was laid off. I was on the phone with HR manager and my manager when they broke the bad news. I was given over 6 months severance pay as I had worked for them for over 22 years. I specifically asked them if after business picked up and they began hiring again, if I could come back to the company. My manager (He is no longer a manager of my ex-department) told me yes, just have to go thru the standard hiring process. 2 years later I heard that my group was rehiring again. I reached out the the new manager (he already knew me and my skill level) was excited about rehiring me. I starting going thru the process i.e. resume' and talking to company recruiter and a week later he reached out to me to tell me HR said he couldn't rehire me. He asked to see my HR file and they wouldn't allow it nor explain why I couldn't be rehired. It was a gut punch. I was very good at my job and was an technical instructor and mentor of less experienced personnel and was highly requested by our company's customers. After giving the company 22 years, I felt like they owed me some kind of explanation for being the "Do not rehire" list. I make significantly more money now but I loved what I did then and didn't chase the money wagon.
When I spoke with HR they told me that that’s not information they disclose whether I’m re-hireable or not
I spoke with HR and they wouldn’t give me any info. Told me that’s not information they disclose
Just want to know there's some time period for ineligibility to rehire?
This hiring process they say fairness is important and they can't discriminate yet over and over companies discriminate. I am an asset to anyone who hires me yet applying over 2k jobs that I am more than enough qualified for yet I don't get hired. Like I seen in previous comments a lot of unfairness. I think when getting blacklisted companies should only be able to do it with the state and give people a chance to correct whatever mistake an employee has done. I have been miss-treated over and over by some companies yet I end up being the scapegoat, I am so tired. And everything being over computer instead of in person, loosing the personal touch it's just become a nightmare to apply for jobs, can't even apply for unemployment because they make it impossible just to login. the state owes me $1000s because of this. I am so over it all. But let's keep going apply for a job just to get rejection ugh! Be nice if there were links to companies you could hire for the research.
I worked with pnb met life insurance company 3 year last 6 months performence not gud company issued me performence letter.after six months i Regine this company and after 1 year I again applied same company.but company response Do Not Hired...What I should plz tell me
I got terminated for being in a relationship with one of my employees. This was all consensual, as she was terminated as well. Was it extreme to be let go on these grounds?
Was harassed by co-worker I had had enough So I left work never went back. After BEING cussED out & middle fingerED was given out i reported these incidents to managerial nothing was done or said to the Harasser. Yes I went about leaving wrong but it was a toxic environment. I was the one that got listed!!....Not fair.
I got put on the DNR list my first day cause I had my phone in the break room some guy named Chris made an invalid statement sent me home and told my temp service I was on my phone during the meeting when the phone was sitting on the table during the speech I clearly tap the screen 2 times to see the time wasn’t in my hands or in my ear but some job will continue to have a revolving door hire you and dnr without warning new people everyday why hire if you so ready to fired I’ve been contacting them for 4 days straight without answering on what’s going on cause I’m thinking they sent me home because they wanted me to have a full week something or they had enough people on the line I had to go out there to find out I was on the dnr list escorting me out like I was aggressive when I was clearly there to see what’s going on waited 4 days till I showed up today to tell me my assignment is no longer needed back at Gilmer I’m getting all the calls messages and emails that I needed 4 days ago smh