According to Verified Volunteers, 95% of Americans believe in mandatory background screening, however only 47% of nonprofit organizations are screening all of their volunteers. Many organizations fear that if mandatory background checks were implemented they would lose a majority of their volunteers, but there is a way to require background checks without coming off as invasive. If your organization is looking to require background checks, make sure you are asking your provider these questions.
- What steps should be followed in order to receive an applicant’s permission to run a background check?
- What information is needed in order to run the background check?
- Is the information received from the provider’s sources or is a report compiled for us?
- How long does it take to run the background check?
- Does the background check show records from every state the applicant has lived in?
- What if the applicant has records in multiple states?
- How much does each background check cost?
- Who pays for the background checks, our organization or the applicant?
- What information comes with each background check?
- What should we be looking for on the applicant’s checks?
- Who receives the results?
- Are the applicants allowed to see their results?
- Do the reports show a conclusion of a clear record or red flag?
- Can we determine what information will be considered in determining if the applicant receives a clear record or is marked as a red flag?
- What do we do if the the applicant has a record that conflicts with our company’s mission and values?
- Do we tell the applicant that they have a record that has caused adverse action or do you?
- What is adverse action and when do we have to notify the applicant of such?
For more information on background checks contact Background Check Express at 888-252-3282.
By: Christa Vandenburgh