ISB Employee Background Checks FAQs
1. Why is ISB doing background checks?
We are conducting background checks to ensure that our ISB community is a safe place for students and each other. This is in line with practices in many of our home countries, and generally in line with obtaining teacher certification or recertification.
2. When will we do the background checks?
All new overseas hires will be given information and appropriate release forms for completing the background checks upon receiving contract offer. ISB will submit all release forms to our agency that administers the checks. Final approval of contract offer is pending the successful completion and clearance from the background check. Local classified Thai staff and locally hired expats, must complete a criminal background check through the Royal Thai Police. Local criminal background checks will be completed, for everyone, every five years subsequent to joining ISB.
3. Who is conducting the background checks?
For expatriate employees, or those who have lived outside of Thailand, , we use the McDowell Agency from St. Paul, Minnesota. The company is a licensed private investigation firm specializing in background investigations and pre-employment screening services. They currently work with over 100 school districts, not-for profit organizations, youth sport groups, corporations, and other international schools.
4. What kind of screening is the McDowell Agency conducting?
For ISB and other schools, they are providing the following services:
For citizens from countries other than the US, they are screening criminal records, sex offender records, and other databases at either the national level, local level, local provincial level (Canadian), or national federal level (Australia)
For US citizens or US residents they are providing the following searches:
Social Security Number Validation/Address Trace
Verifies the candidate’s Social Security Number. In addition, this verification may identify both aliases and home addresses that the candidate failed to disclose.
County Criminal Records
Search for criminal history on the candidate, if any, within the chosen county. This is the most accurate source of criminal records.
U.S. Sex Offender Registry Query
The most complete national Sex Offender Registry Query contains the most up to date information available on convicted sex offenders includes data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
USA Criminal Index
The USA Criminal Index contains information on convicted felons, individuals that are or have been under the supervision of a State Department of Corrections and some individuals convicted of misdemeanors. The most comprehensive national criminal index available covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia. If a criminal record is found an additional county criminal record check is required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) before an adverse hiring decision can be made.
US Federal Court Records
Search the candidate’s background for evidence of a civil, criminal or bankruptcy proceeding within the appropriate Federal District.
State Criminal Records
If available from the state, a search for criminal history on the candidate is completed. A state record repository will include statewide criminal convictions for a certain number of years.
5. What if a background check reveals a criminal record?
Anyone who has a felony that poses a significant risk to the health, safety, or well-being of children will face termination or nonrenewal of contract. All other offenses will be reviewed and evaluated by the head of school and hiring team.
6. How far back does each type of check go?
The McDowell Agency, Inc. will report convictions as far back as they find them. Jurisdictions vary on how long they keep the information, but if it is available in the legal system they will report it to us. Under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) they can report arrest information for a ten year period.
7. Does the screening include other countries employees have worked, and/or lived in?
Yes for a 10 year period leading up to the start of employment at ISB and for country of birth.
For Subs, Tutors and other part-time employees the time period will be 5 years
8. Will they conduct background checks on all nationalities?
Yes, they have access to worldwide records. However, the Royal Thai Police will conduct checks with respect to Thailand through a fingerprint process.
9. How long does the background check take? Background checks can take up to a few months depending upon country.
10. Who pays for the background checks?
ISB will pay for Full-time and substitute teachers. Tutors will be expected to cover the costs
11. Who has access to the results?
The results are confidential. Only the Head of School, Headmistress and the individual employee will have access to the results.
12. Can the employee have a copy of the background check?
Yes, but this will not be a legal document that can be used in the future with a new employer.
13. How will the results be communicated with the employee?
Unless specifically requested by the individual employee, results will not be communicated. If you would like to know results, please contact the Head of School by email.
14. What if my records cannot be found?
ISB will work with the employee on another method of conducting the background check.
15. What if there is a “false positive” in my background check?
We will respond to extenuating circumstances and work with the individual employee to establish another method of conducting a background check.
What will the McDowell agency do with the personal information collected?
All information will remain confidential and will not be shared. US laws apply.
What if I have other questions or concerns?
Please contact Head of School, Headmistress or Director of Risk Management
Revised April 2019