Employment background checks?

Here's what I am curious about. How far back can employers go? I thought it was only 7 years? I know for some government jobs it is 10. But since most companies use a screening service, how far back can they legally go? Do these services report anything over 7 years?
Any help on this would be great.

Depends on the company and the extent of the background check. Your resume and credit report are the only tools they have for checking past employment, we all know credit reports reflect events for about 7-10 years, residence history is not always accurate- if you have moved alot. The employer is concerned mostly with criminal history & employment background. Legally there is no set limit, its what ever is out there, thats public record- they can obtain. Your childhood is certainly safe- unless you were arrested. Relax, there are no "perfect" people in the world, a prospective employers will know this, so unless you were incarcerated for a felony, I would not worry too much. Just be up front and honest. If they do an extensive check, they'll probably find out whatever is worrying you anyway.

The company that I used to deal with in Califonia only went back 7 years. Which I beleive is like insurance, only 7 years.

It depends on the agency and what their standards are. Some go 5 years and some go all the way back to your very first job, even if it was 20+ years ago.

It really depends on the company doing the check usually it is only 5 yrs but if you got something in your background like a misdemenor that will show up on your record regardless. Just be up front with the company and tell them if there is something that they should be concerned with they will usually work with you if they know about it.

When we had a US Marshall speaking for one of my criminal justice classes-- telling us what a great job it is -- he told us that if we threw sand at some kid in kindergarten, they would find out during the background check.

I hope they go back further, especially for teaching positions.Or any job in a nursing home or Hospital. It is not illegal, when you signed the job application, you signed away the right to object
I hope employers are taking this seriously, especially someone working with the public etc.

I just had one done on me for a new job and they went back 10 years. But I agree that it depends on the company.

depends on the industry your going into

insurance = 5-7 years,

Banking and financial = 18th birthday,

Federal, State, and Security = entire life

They can go back as far as the records go. I used to work for a private investigator and all I did was employee verification and background checks. I can promise you this, in King County Washington (Seattle area) even juvenile criminal records were public access and we checked 'em.

Applicants must consent to a background check, which can include work history, education, DMV records, credit, and other areas. What gets checked depends on what the employer specifies and what the job requirements are (DoD jobs require security clearances, for example.) So the answer is, there is no hard and fast limit on how far back a check can go.

Technically they can go back as far as your 18th birthday (encompassing your adult life)...but most don't unless it's a high security position

Like it was mentioned before, it depends on what agency the employer uses and how much is spent on the background check. A lot of your information about you is publicly available, for a price that is. Do a search of your name on the internet. You will be surprised how public your information are, especially for a price. I guess this is not much comfort. Sorry.


XR

yes they do go back as far back as your first infraction i have a felony from 1983 and ever time it pops up so i always mention it and the date they are looking at your whole report not just 7-10 years the more time that passes is better 4 you

Employers can go back as far as think they necessary to make sure nothing is wrong in their hiring you. Government jobs may go back at least ten years.

IF you have a problematic past that could affect an employer hiring you, best you bring it out in the light and save both of us time and effort if it is going to effect them hiring you.

I don't think there is a law about how far back an employer can go in doing checks, the questions is how long companies keep records. I would bank on 10 years since that is how long bankruptcy follows you around.

They check at the basic of Job and cost.

i hade one of those checks they went back to when i was 18. thats 10 years i've heard they can go as far back as they want. Its a violation of privacy. What are employers going to ask next how I make love to my wife?

I think they go back as far as they like, but most only go back 7 years because of cost.

My daughter worked for the FBI. They flew retired agents all over the country hunting down family members. I doubt you'll have that problem