background check

[Bailey 1982]

I have a question about background checks. Should someone answer yes to the question of convictions if they can pass any background check? If someone was caught shoplifting 25 years ago though they never went to jail or was fingerprinted or anything like that-just went to the magistrate's office and paid a fine, should they say yes to the question? This person can pass a state SLED check, a local check, and even the check through the college for nursing through the company PRECHECK. What would you do?

[justme1972]

If you paid a fine, then you pleaded guilty, and if someone digs enough, they can find the record.

You were still arrested...people don't realize when you get a speeding ticket, you are given the ticking "in lieu of" an arrest. That is why if you refuse to sign it, they will take you to jail.

Most commercial background check companies only go back 7 years or so.

However, STATE agencies, the military, the government, etc...has access to go as far back as they wish.

I would not lie about that. Maybe if you were applying for a job at Walmart, but not when applying for a license with the state.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

I was thinking of checking to see what comes up on me. I really want to know what employers get. I think I am going to call my previous employer and ask them. We are entitled to our records.

I just called the labor board in my state. Personnel files are unfortunately considered the private property of the employer, and if you are no longer an employee you need a subpoena to see those records. Suggest you check for the situation in the state in which you reside. For anyone currently employed, you might want to look at your personnel file periodically to see what's in there that you don't know about.

I had tax liens years ago when I was more of a rebel, and it never prevented me from getting jobs. But that fell off my record before I became a nurse. Other than that, I never got caught at anything so my record was completely clean (other than a couple of speeding tickets).

[BrokenRNheart]

I just called the labor board in my state. Personnel files are unfortunately considered the private property of the employer, and if you are no longer an employee you need a subpoena to see those records. Suggest you check for the situation in the state in which you reside. For anyone currently employed, you might want to look at your personnel file periodically to see what's in there that you don't know about.

I had tax liens years ago when I was more of a rebel, and it never prevented me from getting jobs. But that fell off my record before I became a nurse. Other than that, I never got caught at anything so my record was completely clean (other than a couple of speeding tickets).

I couldn't find my BCLS cert and had to call my last employer and ask for a copy. What they told me was, "Yes, you are entitled to all of your records, they are your records." They also told me that they had requested my file from the floor manager which was mine as well.

The job before that, I asked for my records and they told me that they were mine but I had to give them 3 days to get them "ready" for me. I did pick them up. There wasn't anything bad in there.

Now, those records didn't have the background check that I remember. Obviously there are two sets of "records:" The personal file and ??

Calling them is on my list of things to do. It will be interesting.

[Simplepleasures]

I just called the labor board in my state. Personnel files are unfortunately considered the private property of the employer, and if you are no longer an employee you need a subpoena to see those records. Suggest you check for the situation in the state in which you reside. For anyone currently employed, you might want to look at your personnel file periodically to see what's in there that you don't know about.

I had tax liens years ago when I was more of a rebel, and it never prevented me from getting jobs. But that fell off my record before I became a nurse. Other than that, I never got caught at anything so my record was completely clean (other than a couple of speeding tickets).

In my state this is not true , the employer must provide the employee or ex employee with their personnel file within a certain number of days.

Here is a link to all the states access laws on personnel files.

http://www.ahipubs.com/reports/persaccess.pdf

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

The thing is, however (dealing with BON), "have you ever been convicted of XYZ?"

If you have, then you must answer truthfully. One can always attach a declaration for that's how most BONs operate. It's not really "can I do a background check on myself and find (or not find) the offense so I don't have to answer the question...??"

I still advocate honesty with the question. Like another poster pointed out, I feel sure this will all work out for the OP, but better to answer the question.

[Bailey 1982]

Thank you for your support.

[Bailey 1982]

They actually check for previous names, whether you are a registered sex offender, and of course criminal records.

[JoycMarr]

I work in the Hiring process and would not expect you to answer "yes" in that case

[Runman1914, MSN, RN]

You can run a free check under court of clerks for your city or county.