Yale University.
Calendar. A-Z Index.

Pre-employment Screening Program


At the request of many departments and business offices, the Officers of the University have approved the expansion of Yale's pre-employment screening program. Offers of employment extended on or after June 18, 2007 to external candidates will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

This includes candidates for management & professional positions, clerical & technical positions and service & maintenance positions.

Starting June 18, 2007, Yale will begin screening casuals in the Dining Halls and Facilities who have worked less than 390 hours.  The need to conduct screening for other casuals, per diems and other temporary and agency staff will be reviewed late summer.

Overview

  • Pre-employment screening will include, but will not be limited to, social security number verification, criminal history check, employment verification (3 employers), and educational verification (highest level). Motor vehicle and credit checks may be required based on position descriptions and job requirements.
  • The background check process will be coordinated by staffing specialists in Staffing and Career Development. We expect much of the process to happen electronically to ensure a more efficient and secure process.
  • Yale has selected ADP as the vendor to perform the pre-employment screening. Given ADP’s proven track record in conducting background checks and automated processes, we anticipate efficient turn-around time for all verifications.
  • Pre-employment screening results are valid for a period of six months.
  • In keeping with our current practice, pre-employment screening may be conducted for internal transfers or promotions in designated departments such as the Library, Controller's Office or Yale Health Plan Pharmacy. This may include specialized screenings such as a credit check. The number of positions with this type of requirement is small and candidates will be notified of the requirement.
  • We continue to work with departments that have unique regulatory, credentialing or licensing requirements to assess whether the ADP check can replace any of these requirements. Your Business office and/or local Human Resource department will be an integral component of this process.
  • Other pre-employment screening vendors will be phased out as appropriate.
  • Human Resources is funding this program, so there is no cost to departments.

A thorough and reliable background check is vital in determining whether your candidate will be an asset or a liability to your department. It can also save you time and money and avoid staff turnover and rehiring. 

As the largest employer in New Haven County, Yale hired over 2,289 new staff members in 2006. Pre-employment screening will help to ensure that we continue to hire the right people, for the right jobs, at the right time.