I’m either on every no-fly list in the world, or I am so squeaky clean that I could walk into the cockpit and pilot the plane myself.
Why? Because I’ve had eight background checks in the last five years. The kind of background checks that want to know the name and phone number of every supervisor I’ve ever had, a somewhat exhaustive list in my case.
The kind that want to know the address of every place I’ve ever lived … I need an extra sheet for that.
But I accept this as part of the job. As a writer, I work in a variety of industries, and those subject to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations require background checks, no matter how remote the possibility might be that I would have access to personal information.
I’ve also had background checks when I’m writing for financial institutions, especially those regulated by the SEC, FDIC, etc.
My involvement in any kind of securities fraud, insider trading, or such, would be an immediate no-go. Well, duh.
When I worked with federal agencies such as IRS and Veterans Benefit Administration, I underwent background checks for badge access, which let me, as a contractor, go through building security and directly to my work area without needing an escort.
These government agencies deal with huge amounts of private, personal information, and — although in my work I don’t deal with any of this information — they screen everyone. (Just to reassure you … despite all the personal information handled at these agencies, it’s carefully guarded and protected.
I know this first-hand.)
In my volunteer work, background checks have also been essential.
I can’t imagine the Peace Corps not checking out applicants, because any such program could be an effective way to outrun obligations or escape unpleasant consequences back home. In confidential reference checks, the Peace Corps specifically asks whether the applicant wants to leave the country for this purpose.
As a volunteer in the public schools, I happily submit to the background screenings that would reveal histories of people who are not suited for work with kids.
And as a volunteer at a hospital, I was screened for both because of the HIPAA requirements and to determine my suitability to work with children.
I can’t help but speculate about what factors figure into background checks.
• Am I given a number, like a credit rating?
• Some sort of grade?
• Do these continued “hits” on my background send some sort of signal to those who watch such things?
In any case, I’m not going to call further attention to the situation by inquiring about it!
Next time, I plan to ask the organization what, specifically, they are looking for, and I’d really like to know where I land on the spectrum between watchlist and squeaky clean.
Doubtless, I’ll be asked for at least one more background check this year.
In fact, I recently agreed to a background check for the home I’m leasing … so make that nine checks in five years.
This must be some kind of record. I’m going to check into that.
Andrea Doray is a writer who doesn’t want to fly the airplane, just to recline the seat and read downloads on her Kindle. Contact her at a.doray@andreadoray.com.