Workplace Drug Testing has become very common in most industries. When a person applies for a position, they are often told they will need to undergo a background screening as part of the hiring process. If the screening does not come back with the information that is expected, the person does not get the job.
In most cases a screening will include a check of a person’s education, references, credit history, driving history, and criminal record. The depth of the screening usually depends on the type of position a person is applying for. In some cases a company has a general policy to do a complete background screening on all potential employees.
By signing of an application, an individual is agreeing to have the company use any information in the application for screening purposes. When there is an inaccuracy on the application, it can negatively impact the decision to hire you. It is important that the application be accurate and error free. By keeping the information on an application accurate you are ensuring that the screening that is conducted using that application will be positive.
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.
Most companies use a standard form for all potential employees. The form lists all of the background screening techniques and methods that may be used. You will be asked to approve each screening with an initial. Unless you are dealing with money, bookkeeping, etc., you do not need to approve a credit history check.
Unless your position will be dealing with money, finances, etc., within the company, they do not have a valid reason for invading your privacy on this issue. You have every right to deny permission for a total stranger to check your credit for no reason. Many companies have a form that is given to anyone applying for a job that includes all of the background screenings that are done. They ask that the potential employee approve all of the screenings even though it is not necessary. However, if you do agree to the screenings, the company can run the check whenever they want.
When you know that an item is going to show up in the Background investigation, it is important to talk about it. Discussing the issue with the interviewer will save time. It will also keep the company from being surprised by the information that they receive. Being candid with the interviewer shows you are earnest in your desire to attain a position within the company.
The amount of information you want to allow a company to collect on you is a personal decision. You should always be aware of your rights when a Background Screening is going to be conducted. There are serious rights issues involved in many of the Background Check processes that can have a negative impact on you in the future.
Tags: background check, background checks, Background Employment Screening, Background investigation, Background Screening, Background Screening Checks, Background Screening Services, Employee Background Check, laws