Actually, my manager says that the HR department has advised them that providing any information other than date of hire and date of termination can open the company up to a lawsuit.
So, they're better off checking personal references and being "careful" with the questions.
But, I know that some managers I've had in the past will give a good report to a hiring referral check for a good former employee, and give hire/fire date if they were lousy.
I wonder if it's a "code"?
Glen