Hello,

I came across your website and would love to get some information from you. From what I read, you seem to be extremely knowledgable about the HR field. I was terminated from a job approximately 6 years ago. This company has a no rehire policy, but Id like to apply again anyways. From what I was told, this company has a 6 year retention policy for employee files/records. Im not sure how that process works. My question is, would it be possible for me to get back in without them knowing I was a previous employee since it has been six years since I was last employed there? Id like to know the odds of this happening. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your advice…

Dear Job Seeker,

I hope your day isn’t ruined by my answer. My day should be fine, by the way, as I am blogging from Disney World (well, from my hotel–although, blogging would be a useful way to pass the time while standing in lines).

I doubt your company has a true “we don’t rehire anyone” policy. Most likely they have a “we won’t rehire a select group” policy.

First of all, if they have told you that you are not eligible for rehire, you aren’t, even if it’s been six years. We run a search on the social security number of everyone we hire so even if your name has changed since you left, we know who you are.

Second, I’ve never yet seen a job application that doesn’t ask if you’ve worked for this company previously. If you check “no” and get hired and they find out about it later (which they will–6 years is a very short time) you’ll be fired.

Now, if you want to apply and be honest and go ahead. It can’t hurt. But, don’t try to skirt the policy.

Good luck on the job hunt. There are a zillion companies out there. Better ones than the one you left.

Evil HR Lady

Related Posts

12 thoughts on “Rehire

  1. OK, Job Seeker, let me see if I understand. You were fired by a company, presumably because they thought they had cause. Now you want to get hired back at the same company by lying to them. And you think this is a good idea?

  2. We have met Cindarella. We had dinner at the Grand Floridian with Cinderella, Prince Charming, two mice and the Fairy Godmother. Joy of joys!

  3. I have a similar prob, evil hr lady. I was HONEST about working at this company before, I did get fired from there 7 years ago. I told them I worked there 7 years ago. They did not even ASK what happened, during the interview, she said “you worked here a long time ago?” I said yes. That was it, she never asked. Well, I am worried, I was rehired, and I am currently going through training, can they fire me later if someone says they remember why I got fired, etc? I am assuming that if they didn’t ask, and I was honest, either they looked me up, or just don’t care because it was years ago. Can I just concentrate on doing a good job and not worry about my position everyday?

  4. Anonymous 12:34,

    I would quit worrying. You were honest. They had every ability to look up why you terminated. They probably did.

    It’s been 7 years and unless you signed a general release stating that you would not apply again, you did nothing wrong.

    Enjoy your new job and work hard.

    (Of course, almost everyone is an at will employee, which means they can fire you for any reason or no reason. Just my little cheery disclaimer.)

  5. Do employers check your social security number prior to the first interview or after they hire you? What about if you quit a company and you re-apply in a different state and say no to have worked there before and they find out?

  6. John,

    The answer is “it depends” on when they check your ssn. However, do not even think about lying about working there previously. You will get caught and if you didn’t want to confess in the first place, I’m guessing it didn’t go so well and they either will not hire you or will have no qualms firing you.

  7. Hi
    13 yrs ago I was fired from Benchmark Assisted Liiving for getting rides home with different co-workers.my manager said that it was insorbordante.and she said she had to let me go.Three weeks ago I applied to Benchmark again they hired me I went thru a 3 day orientation,yes I said I worked for them previously,and they still hired me.I had to take my Physical and P.P.E.on that firday,but I changed it to that Saturday,anyway they called me to check and see why I didn’t go on that Friday,I told them why,so on that Sunday night at 6:30pm they called me again saying they couldn’t hire me,because 13 yrs ago,I was let go with a NO REHIRE on it…I was devistated so I called department of labor,and they said there was NOTHING they can do…I called Benchmark Heads Office,they said they can’t change the rules for one person.but they book says after FIVE YEARS…of being Fired…idk,I’m really just ready to give…NO ONE CAN HELP ME……

  8. I quit my phone interviewer job six years ago. I want to interview with them again because they’re always hiring and at 25 I’m more responsible than i was then at 17. Is this a good idea

  9. Just to clarify on the subject of no-rehire policies I would like to say that they do exist because I worked for a company with that exact policy. Regardless of whether you left the company on your terms or the company fired you they would not re-hire you period. However there is a way around it if the company would like to see you come back. I signed an open-ended leave of absence because I was moving 3,000 miles away. I had started making them & myself enough $$ that they found a way around their own company policy in case I decided to move back. More importantly, if you want a certain job back, even if you were fired, then apply for it & see what happens. A human being will interview you & the personality of that person will determine if you’re hired or not. As long as you weren’t fired for theft you can focus on how you’ve changed/matured since that time. Just stay on the positive side & don’t let anyone discourage you if it’s something you really want. Worst case scenario you wasted your time. Just remember that looking forward & seeking an even better job is never a bad idea. Good luck to all.

  10. I was fired from a job 15 years ago; reapplied to same company recently and said no when asked if i worked there before due to length of time. App has already submitted; however, should I call and ask to resubmit (change answer) or leave it be?

Comments are closed.

Are you looking for a new HR job? Or are you trying to hire a new HR person? Either way, hop on over to Evil HR Jobs, and you'll find what you're looking for.