If you fail a background

[SM]

I am not sure about this, but I think I have a previous employer who is giving me a bad reference.  If this affects my backgrounds and say I get DQ'd will I be notified.  Do I have a right to find out why I was disqualified if that is the case...

[dimas]

It depends if you are applying for a fed job or a state/county/city job.

In a fed job you can request a copy of your entire background investigation due to the FOIA.

In the other mentioned employers you can not usually get any of that info, however, it varies from state to state.  

You should have read the release of info form you signed when you first applied.  It would have stated there whether or not that information would be confidential.