Staffing: Background Checks

Background checks should be conducted on all staff, as required by federal, state and local law. Staff includes volunteers who may have direct and regular interaction with residents.

It is up to a recovery housing organization to create a policy concerning background checks that is in compliance with local, state and federal laws. This includes federal laws that protect the applicant from discrimination based upon race, national origin, sex or religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information and age. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces these laws.

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There also may be requirements by funders or others to perform background checks on staff.

If background checks are performed, the recovery housing organization should know:

• Who is subject to background checks?
• Which background checks will be performed? Criminal and/or credit?
• How often will checks be performed?
• How will the organization respond to the results of the background check?

It is highly recommended that you contact an attorney to assist you in understanding these laws as you develop your policy.

(LEARN MORE from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – Best Practices for Employers and Human Resources/EEO Professionals)

(LEARN MORE from the EEOC – Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know)