Can a Prospective Employer Ask for a Proof of Income?
When job seekers face stiff competition for work, potential employers may raise the standard for hiring. Because of this, employers are likely to review every detail of an applicant's profile to ensure that the best candidate is hired. While this rarely includes asking for proof of income, it does usually include other personal information.
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Income
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No law prevents an employer from asking for proof of income. In practice, however, employers rarely do so, as they can usually gleen much of the information they need about a potential candidate from other sources, like past employers and references. If an employer does ask for proof of income, a letter signed by your current human resources manager should be sufficient. If you are currently unemployed, or do not feel comfortable providing such information, you should explain why you cannot meet the request.
References
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The most commonly researched part of a potential employee's application are his job references. When there are many applicants for a job, employers may ask for a large number of references to get a clear idea of your personality and capabilities as an employee. Likewise, references from former managers and supervisors, as opposed to friends or co-workers, may also be required. Potential employers may also be inclined to check each and every previous job reference, instead of only those that are most recent or relevant to the job.
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Financial/Legal
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If the position you are applying for requires a high level of responsibility or the handling of money or assets, a prospective employer may also contact a credit bureau to inquire about your credit. In addition, information such as your driving history, arrest history, and even court records may also be researched. Applicants with potentially negative information in their background should disclose this fact as soon as possible. Employers who discover such information themselves later are likely to eliminate such candidates.
Other Considerations
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When the economy is in a downturn, employers may rely on less conventional methods to compare job applicants. If you are a homeowner applying for a job in another state, the sell-ability of your home in relation to current market conditions could be a determining factor in the employer's hiring decision. Potential employers can obtain this information from your home address and current home sale records in your area.
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References
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