Editing Background check (section)

== Character reference checks ==
Employers may investigate past employment to verify position and salary information. More intensive checks can involve interviews with anybody that knew or previously knew the applicant—such as teachers, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members; however, extensive hearsay investigations in background checks can expose companies to lawsuits. Past employment and personal reference verifications are moving toward standardization with most companies in order to avoid expensive litigation. These usually range from simple verbal confirmations of past employment and timeframe to deeper, such as discussions about performance, activities and accomplishments, and relations with others. The past experiences and the companies which have provided these experiences are also verified and researched upon to detect frauds.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Patten|first=Thomas H.|date=December 1993|title=The corporate learning center: Two companies' experiences in employment development|journal=Employment Relations Today|volume=20|issue=4|pages=411–418|doi=10.1002/ert.3910200407|issn=0745-7790}}</ref>