Background Investigation – Get To Learn A Thing Or Two About Potential Employees
posted in Bricks and Mortar Business |Most positions require some form of background screening. When companies work with the public there are regulations that often require background screening of employees prior to employment. When a person receives a background screening they may not get a job if the screening reflects negative information.
The background screening will usually include a check of a person’s driving history, their criminal record, their credit history, education background, and reference check. Many people feel that this type of in depth screening for a job is against the basic rights of a person to privacy. They are right, to an extent.
When an application is completed, signing the bottom of the form states that the applicant is telling the truth about what they have put in the application. It also states that if any of the information is false, the person can be terminated if they are hired. This is important to know when filling out an application. Many people have a tendency to fudge on their application in some areas. This, however, is not a good place to misrepresent information.
Putting on the form that a date is unknown, or leaving a line blank is better than fudging information. The waiver continues to be valid, so if inaccurate information is on the application a person can be fired even after working for the company for several years. Most people do not realize that their resume is not part of the application. Unless a company asks you to sign the same waiver for your resume, they cannot just do the same type of screening that is done on your application. Your right to privacy remains intact unless you specifically give permission for a resume to be screened.
It is important to read the screening waiver you are signing. When a box indicates a screening that is not related to the job you are applying for, cross it out. Write on the line above this area that you are not allowing the screening in this area. This is very important with credit histories. When a company is checking your credit history for no reason related to the job, they are going to impact your credit score.
A credit report that is requested by a company can affect your credit score. Unless there is a reason for this check, a company does not need to run a credit report arbitrarily. When you do not want a certain screening to be conducted, cross it out and do not approve that screening. There are many types of screenings that are vital to the position for which you are applying. Those screenings are relevant, important, and should be conducted.
If something is going to come back on the background check that has not been discussed with the interviewer, you will want to talk about it before the screening is sent. For instance, if there is a felony criminal record, it will show up on the background screening. By preparing the company for this ahead of time they will not feel that you have been deceitful. It is important that any negative information that may come back be discussed prior to the screening process.
There is a lot of debate about Employee Background Screening among a diverse group. Many individuals see this as a direct violation of a person’s right to privacy. When a screening is done that is not related to a position and is not going to protect a company, then it is an invasion of your rights. It is important to know your rights regarding Background Screening before you consent to the process with a potential employer.
