Employment Background Check-what does it entail?

[The Goon]

I have recently interviewed with a company and they had me sign a form saying that an offer of employment is conditional on a background check, including a criminal check.

I've never come across this before, so I'm wondering if anyone knows what else they look at. Does every skeleton in my closet come crashing out?

[RedHot25]

crimin record check is no big deal - I do them all the time in non profit work. I wouldn't worry abourt it....

[Red Mile Style]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I have recently interviewed with a company and they had me sign a form saying that an offer of employment is conditional on a background check, including a criminal check.

I've never come across this before, so I'm wondering if anyone knows what else they look at. Does every skeleton in my closet come crashing out?

You care to tell us about that hard-time you did in that federal prison?

[Agamemnon]

If you have a criminal record then you might be in trouble. If you don't, you're not. The time your parents caught you egging the neighbours place isn't going to haunt you.

[The Goon]

My worry isn't with the criminal check-the worst thing I have is a speeding ticket-but I'm wondering what the other parts of the check are. I don't like the idea of a potential employer getting access to my income or credit history.

I just did a google search on my name, just in case-whew, nothing.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by The Goon

My worry isn't with the criminal check-the worst thing I have is a speeding ticket-but I'm wondering what the other parts of the check are. I don't like the idea of a potential employer getting access to my income or credit history.

I just did a google search on my name, just in case-whew, nothing.

They're not interested in your credit history, they want to know if you have a criminal record. Its a pass or fail test, not a scale from 1 to 10.

[ericschand]

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

[AaronSJ]

Credit checks are fairly common, especially if you're going to be in a job that involves managing a budget or a having a corporate credit card. However, the information an employer receives from a credit check is fairly limited: a credit score, a listing of "credit inquiries", and some information about who has granted you credit in the past and your repayment history (i.e. on-time, frequently late, written-off, etc.). They won't be able to get access to your income or other personal information.

In my experience, the purpose isn't to dig up skeletons or find out embarssing information, but rather just to protect the employer in case you've misrepresented yourself so far. They are trying to make sure that you aren't a criminal, drunkard, drug abuser, or deadbeat... and if not, you'll be fine.

[The Goon]

Thanks, that actually relieves me a bit.

Re: the drug check, I used to work for IBM and while we in Canada didn't have to do it, a lot of the folks I worked with in the USA had mandatory tests. Same job, same company, different rules.

[AaronSJ]

Employment drug-testing is a bit of a grey area in Canada. Some courts have ruled that it's only permissible if there's a legitimate reason for ensuring that the employee is drug-free (i.e. a police officer). However, it's still legal, so some companies choose to test... but in my experience, the vast majority don't, even American companies who routinely test their U.S.-based staff...

[Lanny_MacDonald]

The complexity of the background check will depend on who the job is with and what you are to do.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Yup, Lanny's right. It all depends on the job and the company or organization.

Is this a government job? When you applied, did it indicate that you would require a security clearance? And if so, what level?

Depending on the organization, a background check can range from a simple criminal check and reference check to a much more thorough check with CSIS and actual interviews with any references you left.

[MattyK]

As far as drug test go...I'm for them if they do random tests to check if you're high during work hours.

But testing to see if you've done anything in the past few days? All they should care about is your state of mind at work. Whatever you do after-hours should be your own business.


As a disclaimer, I'm not a drug user and there's no testing for my comfy office job. But my brother, dad, and sister-in-law all work in the oilfield and are routinely tested.

[Finner]

Originally Posted by AaronSJ

Employment drug-testing is a bit of a grey area in Canada. Some courts have ruled that it's only permissible if there's a legitimate reason for ensuring that the employee is drug-free (i.e. a police officer). However, it's still legal, so some companies choose to test... but in my experience, the vast majority don't, even American companies who routinely test their U.S.-based staff...

Yah, i got drug tested this summer working in Fort McMurray. I didn't have a problem with it at all...although it can seem kind of invasive.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by MattyK

As far as drug test go...I'm for them if they do random tests to check if you're high during work hours.

But testing to see if you've done anything in the past few days? All they should care about is your state of mind at work. Whatever you do after-hours should be your own business.

I guess I don't see a problem with an employer wanting to know if you engage in criminal activity. Should some drug be illegal? That is a debate for another time.

Add to that the fact that drugs are habit forming, and create a chemical dependance; I wouldn't want the guy operating the forklift to be jonsing at 3:30.

[Jayems]

If i was a boss, i wouldn't want some dope head stoned while he was at work, and if that meant testing for the casual user, well, i'm much more likely to get a stoner at work if you test positive compared to joe blow who comes up clean.

I'm not for or against per se, but I do think drugs in the workplace, even just weed, have no place.

[Red Mile Style]

Come on guys, it all depends on what line of work you are in, what the job description is etc.

For example, let's say you need someone with creativity, everybody knows that drug-users make the best artists. Or let's say you're entertaining clients or meeting with important people and an after-dinner doobie makes it's way around, it would probably help the situation out if you scmoozed and were willing to partake. Back-room politicking is sometimes the most influential.

I don't know, Philosophers, writers, musicians, cops (I was told that a large percentage of cops use steroids)... drugs are common in a variety of industries and granted you don't want to work with someone who is burnt out all the time or uses company funds for crack, but I think a better gage should be performance not blood work... or urine... however they do it, I've never had to take a drug test before.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I just did a google search on my name, just in case-whew, nothing.

That's a good idea.

Last year we didn't hire an applicant because of what we found on his Blog. Let's just say his interview wasn't quite as revealing as his blog.

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

That's a good idea.

Last year we didn't hire an applicant because of what we found on his Blog. Let's just say his interview wasn't quite as revealing as his blog.

Wow, I guess a lot of people open themselves up that way.

Thanks everyone for their input. I'm pretty sure I've got nothing to worry about with the check.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by The Goon

My worry isn't with the criminal check-the worst thing I have is a speeding ticket-but I'm wondering what the other parts of the check are. I don't like the idea of a potential employer getting access to my income or credit history.

I just did a google search on my name, just in case-whew, nothing.

Dude, when the government does a full background check they don't only stick a magnifying glass up your ass, but everyone you know gets the treatment. I got friends that are still walking funny from the treatment, and that was years ago. Plus, you would be shocked at the information they have on you in government data stores! Anything that has taken place electronically, there is a record of and the government is doing a bang up job of pulling all of those stores togtether into one quasi-intelligent network. If you have something in your background that is questionable, they're going to find it. Oh, and credit history will be one of the first places they look. That information is pretty well available to anyone who is willing to pay the $30 to get it. I wouldn't be concerned about your background check by the sound of it. Unless they have you finger printed, have you do polygraph and agree to a DNA test, you're not getting the full treatment.