Titch_lite

Hi all,

My employer said when i arrive in the US they we perform drug screening and background check. Which I am fine with.

Is this common practice in the US?

Ive never been in trouble or anything of the sort. But how would a background check work? Police ACRO? Which i know no one can access but me anyway.

I am only a engineer"

Glasgow Girl

Drug tests are extremely common at all levels. Nothing to be concerned about. The background check is also very common at all levels and usually consists of searching public records for any criminal convictions, and perhaps looking at social media. In your case unless they employ a lot of international staff I suspect they will search US records only for criminal convictions. All of this is pretty standard HR on boarding stuff, nothing to be concerned about.

Titch_lite

Thanks once a again GG.

I have been told they will do a DBS check on me, Ive never even had to do that in the UK. Only 1 other foreigner working at my new employers, bit strange.

neill

Its normal, even for engineers. You have the added benefit of knowing that everyone else at your office/plant also has been drug tested/background check.

Titch_lite

I never thought of it like that, but makes sense. I assume the will do a basic CRB/DBS check or something? I didn't release a non UK form could do this. I offered to get a ACRO but i think they are following procedure and have to procure the original themselves

tht

For jobs in financial services the FINRA U4 require fingerprinting for a FBI check.

Many firms also have a ongoing surveillance program to look for issues after onboarding. Providers like www.callmis.com do that.

mikelincs

US firms even require employees of UK firms making parts for many US firms to have pre employment drug screens as well, all due to the litigious way things happen in the US.

scrubbedexpat099

A lot of places near me have stopped the practice, or restrict it for very specific roles, even the local government no longer does it apart from heavy vehicle drivers, they could not get the staff.

mikelincs

I worked in Scunthorpe, and there was a firm there making specialised brake parts for US cars, all their potential employees had to undergo drug testing before employment, we did the tests, found a few, usually cannabis. I asked the firm what they did about the positives, their comments was that they were never interviewed, the checks were all part of a preemployment check, on the shortlist.

civilservant

I also had to have a credit check (along with fresh background/drug screen) before I could take my current role on promotion with the same employer

Lion in Winter

I worked for a US charity. They do a background check, in particular because of safeguarding/child protection requirements. No drug screen though.

tom169

Each US employer I've had (financial) has asked for address history and upon seeing a UK address have sent me release forms for them to conduct a UK background check. The large background check companies operate worldwide and are licensed in the UK.

I've also had to pee in a cup and have a credit check, though the credit check is more for checking bad credit (defaults, bankruptcies) rather than making sure your score is good.

civilservant

Frankly the US one is nothing to be concerned about. I've been through UK Developed Vetting, and that's a lot less fun.

Although I can't imagine that the US equivalent, TS/SCI is any more fun.

Lion in Winter

Was this to test your aim?

spouse of scouse