What if one is still employed and interviewing for another position? I'm inclined to not allow contact. I have been in this position and have explained why and allowed other former employers to be contacted. Fortunately, I have never left a job on bad terms.

A former employer is not regulated by any laws on what information they may give. However, most companies have policies on what information they will release. One of the trick questions is, "is the person available for rehire." Anyone can be sued for any reason but if the company can back up why a person was terminated, it is unlikely a law suit will be won. The best course of action would be to contact the former Human Resources Dept. and ask them what questions they will answer if contacted by a prospective employer.

I think it would raise a flag ... on the other hand, most employers won't verify more than position and dates of employment. So your references should be professionals from other jobs. Usually, you ask that your current employer not be contacted and that's fine .. but a previous one - I think you nailed it .. big red flag that raises questions!

And you have them rights if you don't want them to contact the employer just say no

If you have anyone, even subordinates that can vouch for your work, use them as contacts. If asked about the previous job, tell them that it was a learning experience and that your skill set matches the open position better.

Legally, all your former employer can verify is your start date,, end date and job title(s). The company inquiring will always try to get more out of them than that, but if the HR people at your former employer are prudent (and if it's a big company they usually are) they won't divulge anything more than that.

I always say yes, and leave it up to the interviewer. 99% they don't follow up. AND if a previous employer DOES say something negative about you, that's cause for a lawsuit. Most companies just say that "Joe Smith worked from this date to this date." And that's it.

They are not supposed to say anything negative or what had happened It's illegal. You could probably sue them for slander if it did occur, That's how it is here anyway. They can say start date and date of leave and that's pretty much it.

Your previous employer can only report that you worked for them. They cannot report why or how you left. Just have another company give you references. Check off that they can call that employer; do you have another person in that company who can give you references if so list thst person for contact.

Your previous job is not aloud to say anything bad about you. As long as you were on time and did your job. That's all they are obligated to say about you.