When potential employers are requesting a background check what are they looking for?

Question

Are they checking to see if you are some sort of pedophile or sicko or are they looking into your driving record, i.e. dui's, reckless driving, etc. and how far back are they going to check? Is this really necessary and legal? Some places want to do background checks, credit checks, drug testing, etc. for jobs that only pay about $10 hour. Anyone know?

I might add I am not talking about going out for an interview for a normal job, but rather a home based customer service position where you take phone calls for companies. And the items I am referring to happened almost 20 years ago. Do you think this would have any relevance?

Answer 1

It is going to vary depending on the company and some make you fill out the paperwork and don't even check anything.

Sometimes they just check to verify your past employment and educational background. Others do look at your criminal record for warrants and felonies. Some do credit checks. And some do drug tests. Lastly some ask for personal references, though I've never heard of a company actually calling those.

It is legal and in some cases, necessary. If you handle heavy machinery drug testing is required per OSHA. If you are securities registered (securities meaning investments like a stock broker job), the NASD says they must check your credit, employment and criminal background.

Obviously some other jobs require a verification of credentials, and teachers are checked against the sex criminal databases.

I think much of this is crap. To me, with the exception of those that do dangerous jobs, drug testing is a farce. Alcohol creates far more absenteeism and problems on the job than drugs, and some recreational use OFF WORK presents zero impact on the employer.

I think employers drug test because they think it will result in a more reliable workforce but I don't see that as the case. They still have to be responsible enough to monitor employee performance and fire when necessary.

Anyhow..yes, they can check all that regardless of the pay.

Answer 2

As an employer when we do background checks its mainly to find out if you have a criminal record that we have not been told about in the interview - I read in another thread that in the US an ex employer can not give a bad reference - this is not the case in Australia - when I interview someone I always as for past employment references and I do check on them - we run a mechanics workshop and originally I didnt do all these checks but then we ended up with employees who would jump onto the internet or stand around talking or just looking busy when they should be getting work done - we also have trouble with people coming to work either under the influence of drugs or coming down off them - cars and drugs do not make a great combination - one employee while coming down off drugs (we didnt realise it at the time) put a customers wheel on wrong and it nearly fell off while the customer was driving. These are the reasons these checks are done - they want to know what your criminal history is like and what your work ethics are like...

I might also mention I used to have a boyfriend ( this was a lifetime ago ) he did have a criminal record for break and enter etc - he applied for a job with our public transport system (which my father was on the panel) he was honest about his record (my father later asked if I was aware of his record and I was) anyway the short of it - he got the job because he was honest about his record my father said he would not have got it if he wasnt honest about it - noting my father didnt pull any strings to get him the job he was one of 6 people in the interview panel.

Hope this helps.. :)

Answer 3

They are checking for a direct conflict of interest. Yes it is legal. Just an FYI both dui's and reckless driving are criminal convictions not just a part of your driving record. TAn employer is interested is because repeated charges in this area can show a drug or alcohol problem and/or a direct disregard for rules and regulations. Needless to say if you will be driving a company vehicle they want your driving record. If you are going to be dealing with other peoples credit they want to insure that you have no ID theft. If you are working around seniors, disabled, or children they would not want any history like assualt this can be considered endangerment. Drug test are done for safety reasons. They are liable for any on the job injuries if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol that can cause you to act carelessly. They are under legal obligation to protect anyone who is in their building to the best of their ability. If they hire people who they know may cause a direct threat to some of those individuals they can be sued.

Answer 4

Depends on the job. Often they are looking for criminal records, driving records, drug history, credit check, etc.

They are also looking to verify your resume - for employment history, educational background, etc.

If you have a job around kids of any kind, it is the law they do a background check to verify you have no history of pedophilia or child abuse or anything. if the job requires that you drive a company car, then they need your driving history.

background checks can also verify that you are who you say you are and you haven't lied in an interview - like a guy we interviewed who said he was happily married and lived in the area, and actually, he was divorced and owned a home 2 states away. We have no idea why he lied like that, but we didn't want to hire him after that!

Answer 5

Like maximum economic businesses, Wells Fargo tests criminal, credit and using backgrounds. they'll advance a score for you in keeping with their very own weighting which takes under consideration age, income, etc. to be certain while you're hire-in a position or not. The criminal and credit could have the utmost weighting regardless of the reality that any enormous negatives on your using checklist could desire to show problematical to boot. So sturdy success and must you not get the interest i might ask them in writing to offer you the specifics of your history verify to seek for any inaccuracies and then sparkling them up with the suitable businesses.

Answer 6

specifics and how far back will vary by company, but everything you described can be checked...it is definitely legal as most of the info is in public records...key is to be honest on any application you provide (eg. "have you ever been convicted of a crime?") as they will be looking for discrepancies between your response on the application and what is in the records...good luck.

Answer 7

Most companies are looking for a criminal background check. I guess to make sure they aren't hiring someone like Charles Manson.

Answer 8

they want everything to be perfect, they want to hire people with no tainted record but thye don't want to take care of their employees, they also practice unfair business practices, and teach their employees how to be immoral, to rake in more money whatever the cost. they just don't want someone to outsmart them.You know, they always want to be the agressor but not the victim!