Background Checks for employment, (credit score, applications, employers, accountant)

[candis]

I've notice lately that companies want to know your nationality. Sometimes I fill the form out, just because I don't want to waste my time, if the company is looking for "someone specific". I think filling out background checks, credit checks and nationality form ( can't recall the name of it) before an actual interview is really going too far. This increases the chances of identity theft.

[danielpalos]

It also tends to increase costs, without necessarily adding any value; especially, in at-will employment states.

[ogplife]

When an employer is doing background check for someone in their early 20's, but the background check goes back ten years are they concerned with employment prior to the age of 18? Are you expected to list that?

[Granny Sue]

Let me see if I can explain.....
I work for the local government so I went thru the ringer to get hired....

I didn't mind the credit check for myself because I deal with a lot of $$$. I understood mine. I am also bonded like most people who work with $$ are.

I didn't understand my nephew's check who now works in supply so I asked.

The main reason for a credit check is......if you have a large debt sitting out there with a history of late payments you might be more inclined to get in a bind and steal from the company is some way to help you get out.

After I thought about it, he works with some very high ticket items that could easily be sold for a good deal of cash....

Imagine that your baggage handler at the airport had a terrible credit rating and deep in debt and he was in charge of YOUR luggage and you had some very valuable items in there. Temptation is a powerful thing.

Does this happen? Sure it does...is it always the person that has the huge debt and bad credit that does it? Nope not at all. BUT history says there is a good chance of it.

Now for a position that doesn't handle cash or items, I don't see why it would be an issue.
But if it was MY business, I would want to know as much as possible about the person I'm trusting to be my employee.
There is NO plot...it's not a conspiracy. It's protecting the assets of the company.

[yellowsnow]

Depending on where you work and what you do, it can be done for matters of national security as well. However, you should have to sign releases allowing your prospective employer to gather this information.

[shadowwalker]

I had a employer do a backgroung check on the whole jobsite. It was because we had just been awarded a government contract that had priorities and stipulations. They also had to do drug testing. This was in the early 1980's. We ended up losing 18 out of 47 workers. Some were on the run from the law and were arrested on the spot.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by ogplife

When an employer is doing background check for someone in their early 20's, but the background check goes back ten years are they concerned with employment prior to the age of 18? Are you expected to list that?

If you have employment prior to 18 it helps to list it....or simply "In School" just be sure you cover that 10 yr period.

[SaveMtns]

Originally Posted by shadowwalker

I had a employer do a backgroung check on the whole jobsite. It was because we had just been awarded a government contract that had priorities and stipulations. They also had to do drug testing. This was in the early 1980's. We ended up losing 18 out of 47 workers. Some were on the run from the law and were arrested on the spot.

THAT must have been an interesting day at work...LOL!!!

[Alexis03]

I have undergone backround checks because I was working for the government. However, I do not agree with the credit checks mainly because it doesnt mean anything. I dont have good credit. Mainly because college is so expensive and I made a bad choice on a credit card (which I am STILL fighting 5 years later). People grow up and they change, I bet most of you are not the person that you are when you went to college??? So the backround check I understand not so much the credit check and I used to work in HR....sometimes it came with the software we used and did it automatically..all in all it really depends on the company. BUT when you fill out your application they have to tell you by law if they are doing the checks, what they are doing and what they are using it for. Resumes at NOT legally binding doc's but apps are.

[danielpalos]

Depending on your ability to negotiate, you may want to consider for cause employment. If you and your potential employer agree on the causal factors relating to employment, they may be able to work with people who are not perfect candidates.

Otherwise, a person may want to question, tactfully whenever possible, the employers view of at-will employment and doctrine.