FAQ's for Hiring and Reference Changes

Effective July 1, 2021 no offer of employment may be made until the background check below has been completed for all temporary and permanent faculty and staff. This also includes Graduate Assistant positions.

Effective July 1, 2021 no Western employee may provide a reference until they have contacted HR.

Effective July 1, 2021, under Washington State law, prior to an official offer of employment, all institutions of higher education are required to request in writing that the applicant's current or former higher education employers disclose whether the final candidate:

• Is the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct
• Is currently being investigated for sexual misconduct
• Has left a position during an investigation into a violation of any sexual misconduct policy

Please note this check is only if your final candidate is working or has worked at a postsecondary education institution.

If you are utilizing PageUp for your hire, HR will complete this prior to approving your form.  If you are not utilizing PageUp, it is required to reach out to HR prior to making any offer of employment.  This includes offers for temporary and permanent faculty and staff.

If any Western employee is contacted to provide a job reference, Western Washington University is required to disclose any information regarding findings of misconduct even if the requestor does not ask for that information.  Any Western employee who is contacted as a reference, must contact HR to meet this requirement.

Does this new disclosure law include student employees?

No, this is only for temporary and permanent faculty, staff, and graduate assistants.

Am I able to write letters of recommendation for students?

This new law is in regards to job reference checks and will only be utilized for current/previous temporary and/or permanent faculty, staff, and graduate assistants.

Do I need to gather this information myself? 

No, Human Resources will conduct all aspects of this check.  

How do I know if I have been approved to make an offer?

If you are utilizing PageUp, your form will not be approved until this check has been successfully completed.  If you are not utilizing PageUp, you will hear directly from HR once you have approval to move forward with your offer.

What if I get called to be a reference for a current or previous employee?

Before you are able to give your reference, you will need to contact HR with the name of the current/previous employee and the Company that is requesting the reference.  After you have notified HR, you can move forward with your reference.  Human Resources will contact the requesting company separately with information if applicable.

Will HR share with my Supervisor that I am looking for another position if there has been a reference request for me?

Human Resources will not disclose there has been a reference request.

Is this only for permanent hires?

No, this is for all new and re-hired temporary and permanent faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. 

Will current employees who are changing departments be subject to this disclosure?

No, this is only for new and re-hired temporary and permanent faculty, staff, and graduate students.