Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal Background Check Information
New employees hired after March 1, 2006 in selected positions (see Proposed Department sheet below) will undergo criminal background checks. This includes all classified staff, administrative, instructional, and research faculty in selected departments and all unit business officers. Any offer of employment is contingent on the results of the criminal background check. It is preferable if a background check is completed before the new hire starts work however, work can begin provisionally awaiting the results of a check.
Only classified staff and administrative, instructional, and research faculty are covered under the background check policy. However, if departments wish to expand the coverage of their department to include wage employees, adjunct professors, or graduate assistants, the department should contact Human Resources. Background checks for classified staff, and administrative, instructional, and research faculty will be paid for from central funds.
We are using a vendor, HireRight, to conduct the criminal background checks. Once an applicant has received a contingent offer, upon notification from the hiring department, the HR office will use the electronic background check system to send the finalist an email to provide authorization for the background check and any necessary information needed to complete the check (including social security number, birthday, and counties lived in for the past seven years). HireRight has an average turn around time of 1.7 days beginning with their receipt of information. Once the check is complete, HR will review the results and apprise the hiring manager of any necessary next steps depending upon the results of the investigation. If the background check results indicate a potential problem, the hiring manager will work with the employee relations department to determine the best course of action. In general, less than 3% of background checks results are cause for concern.
Also beginning March 1, 2006, current employees who are convicted of a crime, except traffic violations, have five business days to inform their supervisor or designated person. Depending on the nature of the offense, the supervisor will work with the employee relations department as needed. Criminal background checks will not be run on current employees who remain in the same position. If an employee moves from a non-covered position to a position that requires a pre-employment background check, the employee will undergo a criminal background check if he/she is selected as the finalist for that position.
Additional information can be found using the links below.
Criminal Background Investigation FAQ
Guide to Selected Functions and Background Checks
Background Check Procedures
Covered Departments
Selected Status of a New Position
Criminal Background Investigation Policy
Appendix (with definitions)
