Background Checks FAQs
What kinds of background checks will be conducted? Will credit checks be done?
At this time, only criminal history will be routinely checked, and there is no plan to conduct credit checks for any jobs. If required for the job, we will also check for valid drivers licenses.
Why do criminal background checks?
This is a safety issue. Hiring someone with a history of drug dealing, acts of violence, theft, and sex offenses risks creating a threat to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
For what types of jobs/employees will criminal background checks be conducted?
Newly hired regular full-time and part-time administrative/professional, faculty, and clerical/support staff members are subject to criminal background checks. Temporary employees are subject to background checks if theyare employed in positions such as locksmiths, money handling positions and building attendants. To obtain a comprehensive list of other positions for temporary workers requiring background checks, e-mail Employment.
When did you start checking criminal backgrounds for faculty?
New faculty who join The University of Memphis for Fall 2004 will be subject to the same criminal background checks as are staff members. The categories of new faculty that will be checked are (a) tenure track faculty; (b) clinical faculty; and (c) instructors who are on one-year appointments that are renewable for another two years.
Will having to conduct a background check on the recommended applicant slow down the hiring process?
Applicants may be hired "subject to" a satisfactory background check, and that clause would be written into their employment agreement. New hires would be able to start before the report is returned to us, but would be subject to release if unacceptable criminal background were found or if they falsified their application about their history.
What other TBR schools are doing background checks?
Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, and Nashville State Tech. Other schools are considering it, notably Middle Tennessee State.
What is the cost and how will it be budgeted?
The cost is reasonable. There will be a variance of cost per applicant depending upon the counties that will be searched due to prior residences. HR will pay for one applicant's background check per job; if the department wants two or three finalists checked, they must incur the additional costs.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act Disclosure and Authorization Form implies we will be checking credit, character, and general reputation, and I don't like that. Why don't we take that part out if we're not doing any checks except for criminal history?
The attorneys at TBR insist that the language remain as written in their policy and forms.
Do you conduct background checks on student workers?
Background checks are only conducted on student workers if they are hired into one of the positions listed above. To obtain a comprehensive list of other positions for student workers requiring background checks, e-mail Employment.