Criminal Background Checks Update

We have some information regarding the issues surrounding the Criminal Background Check (CBC) requests.

Dallas College HR’s Sr. Director of Employee Relations reached out to the DCFA Council on Tuesday to inform us that she is working with the CHRO to address faculty concerns surrounding the CBC authorization language and the timing of the communications about them.

Currently, she is working with HireRight to “adjust the ‘authorization’ statement for the Basic Criminal Background Checks (CBCs).”  She committed that they will “ensure the language does not reflect a possibility that any other checks, such as a credit check, will be completed” in addition to the CBC. Until the language is updated, they have halted all communication from HR to faculty about the CBCs.

In addition, they are working during the remainder of the summer to ensure that any emails from HR that require action by faculty are sent primarily during the long semester terms (Fall and Spring).

We will let you know if we receive any further updates about these issues.

IMPORTANT: Criminal Background Check Requests from HR

Some of you may have received an email about a five-year renewal for a criminal background check.

If you got this, don't panic: this is simply pro-forma HR stuff. However, as faculty have completed the form, a few issues were noticed that the Council plans to meet with Acting CHRO Louis Burrell to discuss.

First, you have only five days to complete the background check. This is frustrating for faculty who are off contract in summer. HR is aware of this, and has been instructed to send follow-up messages while acknowledging faculty are being asked to do this while off contract.

Second, there was some concerning language in the background check documentation that suggested the company hired to complete these (HireRight) is authorized to go beyond a strict criminal check (such as looking into one's credit history or "mode of living"). We have been told by Acting CHRO Burrell that only a criminal check will be conducted, in case you have already filled out the background check paperwork.

However, the Council's current advice to all faculty regarding the background check request is as follows:

If you get a Background Check Request and it asks for anything other than a criminal background request, the Council does not recommend completing it. Please hold off as we plan to have more extensive, in-depth discussions with HR and Acting CHRO Louis Burrell soon.

As always, if you have questions and concerns, reach out to your campus Faculty Association President.