For example, pre-employment fingerprints or photographs taken so that they can be given to a law enforcement agency to check for criminal records are prohibited. There is no federal law that requires an employer to allow an employee to review her personnel employment file. However, many states have enacted such a statute. In addition, special rules usually exist for state employees of state agencies and school districts. There is no federal law requiring employers to pay severance pay to discharged employees in the absence of an agreement to do so.
Most states follow federal law regarding severance pay.
However, employers may wish to provide severance benefits in exchange for a release of any future legal claims against the employer. A valid release will protect the employer from wrongful termination litigation by the employee, including claims for discrimination or public policy violations. Guidance within this area can be found by contacting you local department of labor, the local SBA or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If the reasons for not hiring resulted from information gathered through a credit or character investigation, you must inform the applicant. If your reasons were based upon something else, you are not legally obligated to state your reasons for not hiring.