Employment Verification in Michigan
- What is employment verification in Michigan?
- How to verify employment in Michigan
- What information is included in a Michigan employment verification?
- How long does employment verification take in Michigan?
- How much does Michigan employment verification cost?
- Michigan's E-Verify requirements for employers
- Michigan employment verification laws
- Get employment verification with Checkr
- FAQs about Michigan employment verification
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Employment verification in Michigan confirms a person's work history and is commonly used during hiring, loan applications, housing approvals, and government benefit determinations. This guide explains how employment verification works in Michigan, what information gets shared, common methods and forms, timelines, and applicable laws.
Key takeaways:
- Michigan employment verification confirms employers’ names, job titles, employment dates, status, and wages or salary
- Common requestors include employers, lenders, landlords, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
- When employers use a consumer reporting agency, they must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), including consent and adverse action requirements
- MDHHS often uses standardized forms like DHS-38 to collect employment details for benefits eligibility
What is employment verification in Michigan?
Employment verification in Michigan confirms a person's previous or current work history, including information like the employer’s name, any job titles held, and employment start and end dates. In some cases, employment verification also includes salary information.
Common requestors include employers, lenders, landlords, and the Department of Health and Human Services. You can verify someone’s employment history by contacting HR teams directly, reviewing pay stubs, or using a third-party screening provider.
How to verify employment in Michigan
Three main methods are available to verify someone’s employment history in Michigan. Each approach offers different benefits depending on your timeline, budget, and verification needs.
- Request verification directly from the employer: Contact the employer's HR or payroll department directly to request verification. This method costs nothing but can take several business days and may require multiple follow-up attempts.
- Use The Work Number or automated services: The Work Number is an Equifax-powered database that provides instant access to employment and income records for participating employers, including State of Michigan employees.
- Partner with a third-party verification provider: Background screening providers handle employment verifications at scale, typically offering faster turnaround times, built-in compliance support, and reduced administrative burden for hiring teams.
What information is included in a Michigan employment verification?
Michigan employment verifications often include several key pieces of information, though the specific information shared depends on the employer's policies and the requester's needs.
- Job title: The candidate's current or former position
- Employment dates: Start date and end date (if applicable) of employment
- Salary or wages: Usually only disclosed with written employee consent. However, applicants for roles with the state can’t be asked about their salary until after a conditional offer is made
- Employment status: Whether the individual is full-time, part-time, or terminated
- Reason for separation: Often limited to neutral statements like "eligible for rehire"
Michigan employers typically limit the disclosure of information to protect themselves against potential liability. Many organizations also have policies restricting details beyond basic employment facts.
How long does employment verification take in Michigan?
Verification timelines vary based on the method used and the previous employer's responsiveness. Understanding these timeframes helps all parties involved set appropriate expectations.
- Direct employer requests can take 3-7 business days depending on the response times of HR departments.
- Automated services like The Work Number often provide instant or same-day verification.
- Third-party providers are typically faster than direct requests due to established processes and dedicated teams.
How much does Michigan employment verification cost?
Employment verification costs vary depending on the method used, the volume of requests, and the level of service required.
For employment purposes
Checkr's background check packages start at $29.99 and can be customized to include employment verification, motor vehicle records, and drug testing. Volume discounts are available for enterprise clients. Third-party pass-through fees may apply separately.
Direct employer requests typically cost nothing, but they require time to contact employers, follow up on responses, and document results. This approach often results in higher operational costs and longer turnaround times.
For personal use
Checkr offers personal background checks that include an SSN trace, national criminal search, sex offender search, and global watchlist search. Individuals can also request their own employment verification directly from their former employers at no cost.
Michigan’s E-Verify requirements for employers
E-Verify is a federal electronic system that confirms an employee's authorization to work in the United States. Michigan does not mandate E-Verify for all private employers, but federal contractors and subcontractors with qualifying contracts must use E-Verify for all employees. Macomb, Ingham, and Oakland Counties also require county contractors and vendors to use E-Verify for certain contracts.
All Michigan employers must complete Form I-9 for every new hire under federal law, regardless of E-Verify participation.
Michigan employment verification laws
Michigan's legal framework governs what employers may share with other employers during verification requests. Additionally, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act applies nationwide, including in Michigan. These regulations balance employer protection with legitimate verification needs:
- Keeping candidates apprised: The FCRA requires employers to obtain written permission from a candidate before conducting a background check on them. Employers must also notify the candidate if they may take adverse action based on information in a background check and give them a chance to dispute inaccuracies on the report.
- Defamation protections: MCL 423.452 provides qualified immunity for employers who share good-faith employment references. This protection doesn't apply if employers knowingly share false information or act with reckless disregard for the truth.
- Limitations on disclosure: Michigan's Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act, MCL § 423.501 et seq., gives employees the right to review their personnel records and restricts how employers may share that information with third parties.
- Ban the Box: The state of Michigan prohibits public employers from inquiring about applicants’ criminal history on a job application. However, the state also prohibits local jurisdictions from creating Ban the Box laws for private employers. While all employers are encouraged to forego the criminal history checkbox on applications, the statewide mandate doesn’t apply to private businesses.
Get employment verification with Checkr
Employment verification in Michigan serves multiple purposes across hiring, lending, housing, and government benefits. Checkr provides employment verification with fast turnarounds, compliance-ready workflows, and a candidate-friendly experience. The platform integrates with leading ATS and HRIS systems to streamline your hiring process. Whether you're a small business or large enterprise, Checkr offers scalable solutions for your verification needs. Get started with Checkr today.
FAQs about Michigan employment verification
Can you call HR directly to verify employment in Michigan?
Yes, you can contact an employer's HR or payroll department directly to request employment verification. Response times and the specific information shared vary by organization, and many employers require written authorization before they release details about former employees’ history at the company.
What information can Michigan employers legally share during verification?
Michigan employers can typically confirm job titles, employment dates, and eligibility for rehire. Salary information usually requires written employee consent, and many employers limit their disclosures to basic facts to minimize legal risk.
How do I verify employment for State of Michigan employees?
State of Michigan employment records can be verified through The Work Number, an automated service that provides secure access to government employee data. You can also contact the relevant state agency's HR department directly.
Are Michigan employers required to respond to verification requests?
Michigan law doesn't require private employers to respond to employment verification requests. Many employers do respond as a professional courtesy or as part of their internal HR policies.
What is the difference between DHS-38 and MDHHS-5644 forms?
The DHS-38 form is used for general MDHHS benefit programs like foster care assistance, while the MDHHS-5644 is specifically for Michigan's Drug Assistance Program (MIDAP) eligibility verification.
Disclaimer
The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.
