I think he's just curious as to what it entails.
I think a background check is just that. They may phone your
references, or perhaps your employer from 10 years ago, to
verify you worked there. They may even take your license
number or SIN number and verify you are who you say you are.
(it would be rare and very improper for them to phone your
current employer without specifically asking you first)
For a criminal check, from what I understand, any parking tickets,
jaywalking or the like are left off, you're not really being a criminal.
However, major stuff including substance abuse arrests, drunk driving,
indecent exposure/sexual assault, those will show up. After all,
it's a "criminal" check they are running.
Same with a credit check, they aren't after "he paid 10 bills
late this year." They want to know "owes $5,000,000 to 5 different
financial institutions, all due in 2 months, with no payments
for 6 months."
Drug tests, well it's obvious what they are checking for.
Although I do not use any drugs, I am against any policy requiring it.
It's usually done either because the employer really wants to be sure
about you, because you are going to be around or handling large
sums of money, or you may be in and out of a variety of places
and/or contacting many people/children.
For a criminal check, nothing to worry about unless paragraph 4 describes
you.
ers