What are the Types of Background Checks?
Types of Background Checks: Safeguarding Municipalities Through Smart Hiring Practices
The most common types of background checks a municipality can perform include:
• Reference checks ‐ References can be valuable in determining a potential employee’s work habits and may include information from previous employers, educational institutions or personal references.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks ‐ Giving keys to a municipal car to an employee with a poor driving record can subject an employer to significant liability in the event of an accident. Negligent Entrustment occurs when the employer allows a driver to use a vehicle knowing or having reason to believe that the person creates a risk or harm to others. All states make motor vehicle records available to employers for Montana Municipal Officials Handbook 78 employment purposes.
• Criminal background checks ‐ Hiring an employee with a criminal history can pose a danger to fellow employees and the public. Unfortunately, there isn’t a common national database that employers can access for employee criminal histories. In general, arrest records cannot be used, and state and federal laws differ on the extent that an employer may consider an applicant’s criminal history in making hiring decisions.
• Child abuse checks (sexual and violent offenders) - Public entity employees who will be working with children as part of their employment such as those assigned to the parks and recreation programs, protective services, daycare operations, volunteers and coaches should have their records checked for child abuse incidents.
• Credit checks Credit checks, though seldom used, should be conducted on job candidates who will be working with money.
• Reference checks ‐ References can be valuable in determining a potential employee’s work habits and may include information from previous employers, educational institutions or personal references.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks ‐ Giving keys to a municipal car to an employee with a poor driving record can subject an employer to significant liability in the event of an accident. Negligent Entrustment occurs when the employer allows a driver to use a vehicle knowing or having reason to believe that the person creates a risk or harm to others. All states make motor vehicle records available to employers for Montana Municipal Officials Handbook 78 employment purposes.
• Criminal background checks ‐ Hiring an employee with a criminal history can pose a danger to fellow employees and the public. Unfortunately, there isn’t a common national database that employers can access for employee criminal histories. In general, arrest records cannot be used, and state and federal laws differ on the extent that an employer may consider an applicant’s criminal history in making hiring decisions.
• Child abuse checks (sexual and violent offenders) - Public entity employees who will be working with children as part of their employment such as those assigned to the parks and recreation programs, protective services, daycare operations, volunteers and coaches should have their records checked for child abuse incidents.
• Credit checks Credit checks, though seldom used, should be conducted on job candidates who will be working with money.