| Q |
Why did the Red Cross decide to
require background checks? |
| A |
Background checks have been an area of focus at the
American Red Cross and encouraged for many years. However,
after the fraud and waste that occurred during our work
aiding last year’s hurricane victims, we decided that
mandatory background checks on all employees and volunteers
were necessary. Red Cross continues to reaffirm our
accountability to the American public. The background check
initiative, coupled with our previous efforts on this front,
will help us achieve a more efficient and safer work
environment for our employees and volunteers. |
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| Q |
What is included in the minimum
Background Check Standard? |
| A |
The Red Cross has established a minimum Background Check
Standard that is required for employment or volunteer work
with the organization. The Background Check Standard
includes verifying each individual’s social security number
as well as reviewing his or her national criminal file for
the past 7 years. The national criminal file includes sex
offender registries from most states, prison parole and
release files, state criminal records repositories, the
Federal fugitive file and other proprietary information. |
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| Q |
How many years does the
background check review? |
| A |
Only conduct within 7 years before the date of the
background check may be considered in making volunteer
service and employment decisions. When it comes to
employment decision-making, the 7-year limit for employment
history is based on the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA),
which the Red Cross has extended to volunteer service as
well. |
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| Q |
What is the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA)? |
| A |
The FCRA is the federal law that governs the acquisition
and use of most background information on applicants for
employment and employees. Among other things, it requires
consumer-reporting agencies to provide disclosures and
receive written authorizations to conduct background checks,
and requires employers to inform the applicant or employee
of its intention to take an adverse employment action based
in whole or in part on a consumer report. |
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| Q |
How will I know if my
background check has cleared? |
| A |
All individuals who have completed a clear background
check will receive a certificate and identifying code from
the vendor that will allow them- and any other potential
employer, landlord or lender to whom they provide the code-
to review the results of the background check on a secure
website. |
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|
| Q |
Are DSHR members included in
this new background checking process? |
| A |
Yes, all incoming DSHR candidates must meet the minimum
Background Check Standards as well as produce a valid
state-issued driver’s license. The unit with which the DSHR
candidate is affiliated will be responsible for directing
the individual to the background check website. |
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| Q |
If I already cleared my DSHR
background check, do I need to initiate another background
check? |
| A |
Only if your unit has added additional requirements
beyond the minimum Background Check Standards for local
employment or volunteer service. If your unit has
established the American Red Cross minimum Background Check
Standard as its requirement and your clear background check
is reflected in the DSHR system, you do not need to initiate
a new background check. |
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|
| Q |
What if I don’t have a social
security number? |
| A |
In these situations, the volunteer should complete all
requested information with the exception of the social
security number. |
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| Q |
Why did we decide to use
MyBackGroundCheck.com? |
| A |
MyBackGroundCheck.com is a large California-based
background check vendor with a product tailored to the
screening requirements of large organizations. Established
in January 1994, it is a current member of the Better
Business Bureau with no registered complaints to date. The
Red Cross researched approximately a dozen national
background check vendors before choosing
MyBackGroundCheck.com, using such criteria as vendor
responsiveness, demonstrated ability to develop a product
compatible with the Red Cross business model and competitive
pricing. |
