Background Checks

It depends.

Not in most cases.

If you're getting a job in California, a law called the

John had been regularly denied employment due to poor credit stemming from a stroke. During a recent job interview, he spoke very candidly about his financial position—making them aware that he suffered a stroke and lost his job as a result.

Bill started a temp-to-permanent job and was asked to perform a fingerprint check. Two weeks later, he was let go because of an arrest in 1990 for theft. He called the courthouse to check out for the criminal record, but there was no information on file.

Priscilla was seeking a promotion in her county job. She was asked to sign a waiver allowing the personnel department to conduct a background check. She felt the waiver was far too broad. This is an excerpt: