Background Checks - FAQs

General Information

This policy is intended to support the verification of credentials, criminal history, credit status and other information related to employment decisions in order to provide the safest possible environment for students, visitors, faculty, and physical resources. Although there is no guarantee against criminal acts, it does reduce the likelihood of crime, and may reduce the campus's liability in the event a crime occurs. It also helps protect hiring departments from the possibility of lawsuits; potentially saving cost in time and morale.

The policy provides guidance on the criteria for determining when positions require background checks. It articulates the responsibilities of the department and describes the process for background checks, including the notification process, and provides for the confidentiality of information gathered and the protection of privacy of individuals undergoing background checks.

Background checks are required for all new hires, including adjunct, faculty, staff and student employees (with safety-security sensitive duties). Current employees who are transferred, promoted or otherwise assigned to new positions will undergo the background check process if one has not already been completed or there are areas of review required by the job that were not covered in the previous review. Rehired employees will under go the background check process if the break in service is more than 120 days and the last background check is more than a year old or there are areas of review required by the job that were not covered in the previous review.

Current employees who are transferred, promoted or otherwise assigned to new positions will undergo the background check process if one has not already been completed or there are areas of review required by the job that were not covered in the previous review.

No. The standard background check does not include a credit rating review. Credit reviews are only done when the hiring department in conjunction with Human Resources has determined that the responsibilities of the position require a credit rating review.

A background check should be initiated through the normal hiring process when a finalist is identified.

Access and Privacy

Human Resources will manage and retain all background verification reports. These reports are filed separately from the official employee file.

UNH policy and state and federal laws recognize a subject's right to privacy and prohibit campus employees and others from seeking out, using, or disclosing personal information except within the scope of their assigned duties. All background checks results are retained in Human Resources. Hiring departments will not receive any details of a background check, only a notification of whether the background check has revealed any convictions. Human Resources will provide a copy of the background report to the candidate upon request.

Human Resources will maintain records or other information generated by background reviews in a file separate from the official personnel file. For applicants not hired, the records will be maintained for a period of three years.

Funding, Costs & Financial Liability

Human Resources centrally funds background checks for new hires (including casual/student hourly) as well as current employees in positions that require annual background checks.  Individual departments are financially responsible for background checks requested for students and volunteers. The rates are determined by the third party vendor, are subject to annual review and may be modified in accordance with the third party vendor.

Time Issues

Turnaround average time is 5-10 business days. Depending on criminal record searches, some local governments (i.e. counties, states, etc) response times may vary and can take up to two weeks.

Hiring Issues

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background check. However, in no case can the employee begin working prior to receipt of the investigation results.

Background checks are to be initiated and completed before an individual is assigned to a security or safety-sensitive position.