[DDylan]

I am curious how potential employers tell whether a candidate was fired or laid off from last job, since most of the companies will just disclose the title, starting and ending date and nothing more when it comes to background check. Anyone has any insights?

[To0ld2Pass]

I don't think they really can anymore? It may depend on state laws though and not federal, I am not sure. Internally companies can code you as rehirable or not but the last job I had my manager told me that they could no longer tell the person calling if that was the case. Only list their title and employment dates. However, if you were fired for things like theft a company can report you to an agency that can be inquired.

[Missy]

There's ways. Even if a company policy is to only verify title and dates some HR professionals are chatty and questions like “is this employee eligible for rehire?” Will speak volumes. Generally the only thing they're prohibited by law from saying is things that are untrue otherwise it's at the company discretion.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Nick02122]

No one cares anymore. I don't even care to provide any references and no one asks for them.

[DM]

If you need to prove reason for leave, get a referral from a former work colleague to confirm reason for leave. This person usually has to be manager or above.
Do you have a separation agreement? The separation agreement can also be used as evidence to support reason for leave if you were laid off or terminated (not for cause).
Unfortunately, there is no way of getting around a termination for cause, aka fired. The hiring firm will drill you on ‘reason for leave' and they will drill your referrals on it too in order to confirm your side of the story. You could ask a manager in your prior firm to cover for you, but this is least likely since they would be lying or lying by omission.
If no one asks, then don't bring it up. Some firms don't care. Others do. It depends on experience level and department. Be ready for it and have a plan for it. If this is your situation, then you should contact a headhunter to plan an answer/strategy. They can cover for you in other ways.

[iceman]

If its your most recent job, simply click the “do not contact my current employer” box as most companies will be willing to only talk to references from further back.

[Author]

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