Brandeis had a standard procedure for limited background checks, but it only included certain staff positions. In an effort to enhance our hiring process to meet best-practices, fulfill audit recommendations and to further ensure the safety and protection of our faculty, staff, and students, Brandeis will expand its background check policy to include all full-time faculty and full-time staff new hires beginning March 1, 2022.
The background checks will be administered by CSI, our vendor. The background check process will be confidentially facilitated by Human Resources. In cases where there is a "hit," Human Resources will follow a succinct and confidential triage process, which may involve legal counsel depending on the issue. In some cases, a confidential outreach to the manager may be necessary depending on the requirements of the position.
A background check may be used to retrieve information from an individual's past employer(s), educational institutions, government agencies, credit reporting agencies, and/or law enforcement agencies at the federal, state or county level. The level of background check will vary depending on the position (see Policy for complete details).
An offer can be made contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. However, it is strongly recommended that the background check process is complete before any new hires after March 1, 2022 begin working.
We anticipate it will normally take up to five to seven business days to process the request and receive background check results. Timing of this is dependent on the candidate providing the necessary paperwork as well as obtaining information from state and federal entities.
The approximate cost of a background check is $67 for the baseline product. Additional costs will be incurred if the background check is for a position that requires additional levels of review (financial, CDL, health center, etc.). These additional costs are estimated to increase the baseline fee from $67 to $80 or $90 depending on the position. The cost for the background check will be charged to the hiring department.
In most cases, current employees will not require a background check. However, a background check on a current employee may be necessary if the employee transfers to a position that assumes additional responsibilities that warrant the background check being completed (e.g. Public Safety, Health Center, drivers, etc.).
As of March 1, 2022, background checks apply to all full time faculty and full time staff, as well as, other individuals who serve within the Brandeis community when, in the judgment of the university, such inquiry is warranted or legally required. The university is assessing the addition of background for other groups (adjunct faculty, graduate students, post docs, part time staff) and will communicate the details of this once finalized.
Reference checks are still considered best practice and should be completed for all new hires.
Candidates can review the background check policy on the Brandeis website. Managers should also make final candidates aware that a background check will be conducted, and the candidate will be receiving a communication with instructions to complete the candidate forms.