#BackgroundCheck #JobOffer #CompensationAgreement #NewJob #CareerAdvice
Are you in the midst of a job transition and finding yourself in a tricky situation with a new employer? It can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of starting a new job, especially when it comes to delicate matters such as background checks and offer letters. In this article, we’ll explore what to do if your new employer wants you to start working before the background check is finished and the offer letter is written.
1. Why You Should Wait for the Background Check and Offer Letter
It’s crucial to prioritize your own best interests when it comes to starting a new job. Here are a few reasons why you should insist on waiting for the background check to clear and the offer letter to be finalized before starting work:
– Protecting Your Rights: By waiting for the official offer letter, you ensure that all your rights and benefits are clearly outlined and agreed upon.
– Avoiding Potential Issues: Starting work before the background check is completed can lead to complications if any discrepancies are discovered later on.
– Ensuring Fair Compensation: Waiting for the offer letter ensures that you have a clear understanding of your compensation and benefits before committing to the job.
2. Communicating Your Concerns to the Employer
When faced with a situation where your new employer wants you to start working before the background check is finished and the offer letter is written, it’s important to communicate your concerns in a diplomatic and professional manner. Here’s how you can approach the conversation:
– Express Your Excitement: Start by expressing your enthusiasm for the job opportunity and your desire to join the team.
– Raise Your Concerns: Politely mention your concerns about starting work before the background check is completed and the offer letter is finalized.
– Request Clarity: Ask for a timeline on when the background check is expected to be completed and when the offer letter will be prepared.
3. Setting Boundaries and Protecting Yourself
It’s essential to set boundaries and protect your own interests when starting a new job. Here’s how you can navigate the situation to ensure that you’re not putting yourself at risk:
– Be Firm but Polite: Clearly communicate that you are not comfortable starting work until the necessary paperwork is in place, but do so in a respectful and professional manner.
– Seek Clarification: Ask for clarity on the compensation agreement, including details on your salary, benefits, and any other relevant aspects of the offer.
– Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications and agreements with the new employer to protect yourself in case of any misunderstandings or disputes later on.
4. Seeking Legal Advice if Necessary
If you find yourself in a situation where the employer is pressuring you to start work without the necessary paperwork in place, it may be wise to seek legal advice. A labor lawyer can provide valuable guidance and advocate for your rights in the employment process.
In conclusion, it’s essential to prioritize your own interests and protect yourself when starting a new job. Waiting for the background check to clear and the offer letter to be finalized before starting work is a reasonable and prudent approach that safeguards your rights and ensures fair treatment. By communicating your concerns to the employer in a diplomatic and professional manner, you can navigate the situation with confidence and protect yourself from potential issues down the line. Remember to document all communications and seek legal advice if necessary to ensure that you’re making informed decisions about your new job.
Thank you for wanting me to start right away. So that we are on the same page, could you please confirm pay and hours and start date in advance of the formal offer letter? Thanks
You are not employed until you are officially employed. This is a trap.
They can still send you a formal offer with all the information you need and then add that it’s pending a successful background check.
If they don’t do this, then run.
Nope. If you don’t have the offer in writing and HR paperwork (W4) done, then you absolutely shouldn’t do work.
“I’m ready to work as soon as I have an offer in writing and a W4 to sign.”
Things you should always have in hand before quitting your old job or fully committing to the new one.
They have done 100% of their due diligence and background checks
You have a written offer letter that includes your pay, hours, and any work requirements or benefits.
They have told you what your first day is and who and how to contact them for onboarding.
Rule One in dealing with any corporation:
If it ain’t in writing it didn’t happen.
Get it in writing… Everything. Every detail discussed.
The hiring manager may be reasonably square but that doesn’t mean his bosses are even remotely square at all, and they have the power to say yes or no to any deal the HM might offer.
If the HM needs it they can put in a disclaimer about the background check but I wouldn’t budge an inch without having the full offer in writing because IME (45+ years working) CSuite types are Turdwookies and typically they will lie, without hesitation or even a second thought, if it serves them. Since the CSuite almost always has to approve a hire, you’re not going to be served by depending on their honesty.
Tell them that you want an offer letter with rate of pay that explicitly says the offer is conditional on a background check (but time before the background check goes through will be paid at the same rate regardless of outcome).
Not waiting on the background check is fine. Those things take a long time for often inconsequential reasons.
Working without an agreement in writing, however, is a no go. Full stop. No employment contract, in writing, no labor. Major red flag even if they actually intended to pay (which is unlikely).
‘Wants me to start immediately and they’ll just work around clocking In and all that.’
Nooooo. We don’t work around no clocking in. If you can’t clock me in, how you gonna pay me?
Nope.
But is your manager “eager” enough to pay you at your contractor rate?
No? Well, I guess they’ll need to get the employment contract hurried up.
If they really wanted you to start right away, they would write the offer letter and stop waiting for the background check. They can always dump you later if the background check doesn’t clear.
They’re going to screw you if you go in before the offer letter
Nope, I’ve worked with hundreds of companies across almost all industries and they’ve all been able to get offer letters out with caveats if necessary. Tell them you’re eager to start and understand that there will be a probationary period while they finish the background check so you are ok with them including that language in the offer letter.
” I’m not starting until compensation is in writing so I don’t get screwed? “
They can write a contingency offer letter.
We can work around clocking in and out if you like.
Just pay me in advance for my first 6 months work by direct deposit as a non refundable deposit for my services.
By doing so you agree that if you have not signed the appropriate paperwork by the end of month 3 (regardless of background check results) that I will keep the remaining 3 months as severance.
I look YTA he’s is my direct deposit information. I will be ready to start work within 48 hours of the deposit appearing in my account.
What is an offer letter ?
The answer is your last paragraph. You’re suspicious for a reason
Under no circumstances start before an offer is put in writing, be it a letter or contract or something that is fixed.
Background check is up to you, and them I guess.
I’ll pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
It’s already a trap- $1200/week is $62,400 annually, and the description only went up to $60k.
…they’re never ever gonna pay you what they “said they would”, and any company who is willing to “work around clocking in” isn’t one you want to get into bed with.
“I appreciate the sense of urgency and desire to have my skills on the project, but I cannot begin performing any work without a written and signed offer letter. Once I have the needed documentation, including specifics of compensation, we can discuss my start date.”
They’re gonna get pissy with you, and try to convince you. Hold your ground. The next step will be to tell you they didn’t really want you anyway and were actually trying to help you get some real experience on a job you’re now mysteriously “underqualified” for.
NOOOOOOOPE.
Until you sign an offer letter – don’t work.
No
dont fall for this. my friend got hired but they forgot to check his criminal background until he was already working and when they finally got around to looking at it and seeing the ding they binned him. dont start working until all lights are green.
” I’m not starting until compensation is in writing as I’ve had issues with other employers before.”
Don’t do it! What happens if you don’t pass the background check for whatever reason?
No offer letter, no work.
Do not work a secound if you don’t have a written contract. If it was that urgent for them, they could just issue the contract immediately. They are trying to bait and switch or get free work.
Sounds like a scam