Employers asking job seekers for W-2 or tax return

[Auggie]

Kathleen Pender, San Francisco Chronicle / Thursday, May 3, 2012

In a weak job market, employers have been asking job applicants for a lot of new information about themselves including, in some cases, their social media passwords.

But Kevin T. of San Francisco was shocked when a prospective employer asked him to verify his salary by providing a copy of his W-2 form.

"I recently interviewed for an Amazon position and made it through the three-month interview process and was notified that they wanted to hire me. The first step in the offer process, however, was that I had to submit my previous year's W-2 or federal tax return. Without that information, they would be unable to proceed. After providing them with my W-2, they made an offer that was below the salary range they originally quoted," says Kevin, who doesn't want his last name used because he turned down the offer and doesn't want his current employer to know he's job hunting.

Kevin says his sister-in-law, a vice president of an investment firm in the Midwest, told him she has experienced the same thing when she applies for new work. "Another friend is the head of marketing at a local company and says this has become standard practice. How is this legal, and is it widespread?"

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/03/BUMN1OBQJ6.DTL&type=business

According to the article, it's not illegal. Yes, it's widespread. And Amazon declined to comment (of course).

[xchrom]

1. ...

nonyafuckinbusiness.

[IDemo]

2. Next they'll be demanding your house key to conduct a search

When is this type of crap going to hit the limit of acceptability?

[joeybee12]

3. Employers have been doing this for years...

I sort of understand it...but can't they verify from the old employer? You usually sign away when they do a background check, so they could get salary history that way.

[leveymg]

5. That's correct. Gov't contractors which submit bids identifying key team members also do it.

It's common in the consulting field.

[NoGOPZone]

8. Yes, it's not something new

although some companies may not be willing to release salary info of former employees.

[KansDem]

4. So they want to know how much you're making so they can offer you less?

At least less than they originally offered, if not less than you're currently making?

After providing them with my W-2, they made an offer that was below the salary range they originally quoted," says Kevin, who doesn't want his last name used because he turned down the offer and doesn't want his current employer to know he's job hunting.

How is one supposed to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" if they can't get ahead with regard to wages and salaries?

Isn't this "America?"

[Auggie]

6. Exactly

In the few staff jobs I've had I always managed to increase my salary with a new employer. What should be illegal is being able to decrease the the salary range based on what you earned at your last job.

Congress... please help.

[CrispyQ]

7. The game is rigged & getting more rigged every day.

How is one supposed to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" if they can't get ahead with regard to wages and salaries?

Exactly!

[CoffeeCat]

9. What a frickin waste of OUR time!

This is bait-and-switch!

You see a job advertised at Amazon and the salary range is on par with what you are worth. You meet the requirements and you have the needed experience and education.

As the article revealed, the interviewing process took three, long months!! After investing all time, energy and possibly travel--the salary is lowered. That is low!!

What a waste of our time and a complete lack of respect for workers. Amazon, and other companies that engage in these unethical, underhanded practices should be exposed and condemned.

Workers are at a disadvantage, because the job market and the economy is weak. It really sucks that companies like Amazon are exploiting and abusing people like this.

And you have to wonder... If Amazon would treat a potential employee like this during an interview, just how terrible are you treated after you are hired???