But you're right - rescinding job offers is an absolutely vile business practice. Imagine resigning from your job after accepting an offer from Stripe, and then they just change their minds. Gross.
I think one key thing in that California law is the notion of the “conditional job offer.” This law doesn’t effect the dynamics of the offer letters we were discussing at all. If you make an offer and there are still conditions pending, you’re obligated to let the candidate know. I cannot imagine CA is doing that differently.
I get your point, though, that doing the criminal portion of the background check after extending the offer is now not just normal, but mandatory, in CA.
Companies usually fuss about it, but I insist, and among quite a few orgs over the past 25 years I've never had one pass because I refused to sign prior to background check.
Lesson learned.
Most people don't sign a contract between employer and employee in the US? So you don't even have any kind of confidentially agreement?
There must be something that both are signing right? With pay rate, hours and benefits written down.
Typically, for a white-collar job, you'd interview and receive a job offer contingent on background check and verifying previous employment. That offer would have a salary and start date and that's about it. HR might hand you a benefits package at the same time.
Sometime on or before the first day of employment, you'd be asked to sign NDAs, confirm legal eligibly to work, and similar paperwork, but almost never a contract.
Senior leaders often have contracts because their terms are more complicated - golden parachutes, etc.
I'm very confident that most people have to a sign a piece of paper listing their pay etc on them before beginning their job.
For at will employment they can change your pay at any time. You're also free to leave at any time of course.
Employment is "at-will" in most states. Employers are obligated to pay for work performed, but you can be terminated at any time (and you can quit at any time).
Some high-level jobs will also have a written contract but it's not normal for a typical salaried or hourly position, unless there is a union involved.