Navigating Situations Where Would-Be Volunteers Bristle at Volunteer Background Checks

Background checks are commonplace in the employment process, to the point where most people expect them. Job seekers generally understand that if they are expecting an employer to give them a job, put trust in them, and give them a steady paycheck, a background check is part of a good-faith exchange to make that happen. In the case of volunteer background checks, though, there is often more pushback from would-be candidates. Perhaps because volunteer background check policies are more sporadic, or maybe because there is no promise of pay or benefits, prospective volunteers sometimes bristle at the idea of thorough investigations of their past.

Why Background Checks for Volunteers Are Necessary

Businesses and organizations may overlook volunteers with their background check policies as they focus on vetting full-time or part-time employees. While volunteers may represent an organization in a different way than an employee, a dangerous volunteer is just as much of a liability risk as an employee. Volunteer background checks can help minimize these risks and protect organizations from potentially damning public relations disasters.

Fast-Tracking Volunteer Background Checks

The idea of “fast-tracking” hiring and onboarding has become a prominent talking point in background checks during the pandemic. In the early stages of COVID-19, essential businesses—particularly grocery stores and other retailers—were working to build out their teams quickly to take on heightened demand.