on this board? if so could you pm me is it possible to find out what questions an Human Resources can call and ask your former company

They can ask anything - the answers, however, depend on whom they speak to and the former company's policy on giving out information.

I'm talking here about large corporations, not a 4 person office. Some will not give out specific salary/bonus information, but will confirm dates of employment and titles. Those questions are usually directed to the payroll/HR department, who usually have no knowledge of performance issues.

I'm guessing you're concerned about what a former boss might say. Mind you, your prospective employer can also call your former co-workers as well, if they can find who they are (not so hard to do).

If you were a stellar employee with no issues, that's not a problem.

But if there were issues, I (as your former boss) have to be very careful of how I word it (following guidelines to all managers from the legal department), including accusations of wrongdoing.

And while your ex-boss might tip-toe around some issues, your co-workers might have no problem talking off the record. I've seen that happen.

But if it's just personality clashes - hopefully you didn't display psychopathic tendencies ;-) - and the people doing the search are professionals, they should be able to read between the lines and decide on their own how much credence to give to any/all verbal recommendations.

I am not HR, but I am payroll. When I get calls, I am authorized to confirm any correct information. I do not volunteer anything.

I was also allowed only to verified info given and not volunteer anything (as in answering performance questions, why they left, would they be rehired,etc)...large Oil&Gas company

I have been instructed to only provide dates of employment, nothing else.

To be safe, you should only confirm dates of employment.

I am always willing to say more if I can say good things. I want to help previous good employees have their next opportunity, so I am willing to tell the caller that I would hire them again, and things like that.

If I can't say anything good, I just confirm dates and get off the phone.