Offered first IT job..worried about background check

First, I would just like to thank everyone here for all of the information and advice. I just landed my first job in IT and I'm extremely excited.

But I'm very scared about one thing. The interviewing manager said that there will be an extensive background check. I've never had a felony or even a traffic tickets so I'm not worried about that. But I am worried about the fact that I have back Child Support. I haven't missed or been late with a payment for years, but I still have several thousand dollars in back child support outstanding. Will this prevent me from passing a background check?

Im pretty worried. Anyone here know if this would stop the hiring process?

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Violated

It shouldn't. They usually just look for felonies on your record. Back child support shouldn't be a problem. Don't worry about it, and good luck with your first IT job!

DatabaseHead

Don't let your ex know about your new job.

cyberguypr

Not sure if you currently have a job, but if you do make sure you don't give notice until the new gig tells you the background check is clear.

kaiju

What type of background check?

NACI or NACL shouldn't be an issue.
Secret with NACL shouldn't be an issue because all you have to do is show your payment plan and be forthright about any other debts.

ebw24

kaiju wrote: »

What type of background check?

NACI or NACL shouldn't be an issue.
Secret with NACL shouldn't be an issue because all you have to do is show your payment plan and be forthright about any other debts.

Not sure if its NACI or NACL. But it's for a large casino. I do have all my payment history information, so hopefully that helps. I'll just make sure to be absolutely forthcoming about everything and just see what happens.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

scaredoftests

Yes, if it is secret or TS, then be a tad worried.

shimasensei

The fact that you're responsibly making payments via your payment plan should be considered somewhat similar to someone who is making loan or mortgage payments.

volfkhat

scaredoftests wrote: »

Yes, if it is secret or TS, then be a tad worried.

ebw24 said it's for a casino. So as long as his position doesn't require a gaming license, he should be good.

On the other-hand,
OP better hope they don't find out.... about that time... at band camp.

ajs1976

A casino might have a problem with it from the financial credit aspect.

xxxkaliboyxxx

The casino might have a problem with it, but they will still go through a commercial background agency, not OPM. He's safe.

scaredoftests

volfkhat wrote: »

ebw24 said it's for a casino. So as long as his position doesn't require a gaming license, he should be good.

On the other-hand,
OP better hope they don't find out.... about that time... at band camp.

Oh no, we promised never to say anything about THAT, LOL

MontagueVandervort

Are they doing a credit check also? If so, it could show up there.

xxxkaliboyxxx

MontagueVandervort wrote: »

Are they doing a credit check also? If so, it could show up there.

OP would of had it taken out of taxes already or garnish wages in his last job. OP knows if it's in that stage.

MontagueVandervort

xxxkaliboyxxx wrote: »

OP would of had it taken out of taxes already or garnish wages in his last job. OP knows if it's in that stage.

Since he still owes "several thousand dollars in back child support outstanding" (his own words), it could show up as a debt on a credit report. That's all I was adding.

ebw24

MontagueVandervort wrote: »

Since he still owes "several thousand dollars in back child support outstanding" (his own words), it could show up as a debt on a credit report. That's all I was adding.

Yes, this is basically what I'm worried about. I'm sure it will show up on my credit report. And yes, my CS is always garnished directly from my paycheck. So if their background check flags for bad credit, or things like back child support, then I'm positive I'm going to be flagged. I'm hoping that their policy is such that I'm still hire-able, however. I guess there's no real way to know in advance.

scaredoftests

You also have a chance to explain on these checks...

paul78

@ebw24 - congratulations on getting your first IT job offer. I hope you enjoy it. As for the background check, I'm somewhat hard pressed as a risk professional to understand the risk issues with hiring fathers. It would be a bit weird for an employer to solely disqualify someone on the basis of someone's parental status who has been providing monetary support for their children.

Given that your prospective employer is a casino, I would expect that the background check would include a credit report since industries like gaming and financial services have a concern about employees who have access to financial transaction systems. But unless you are a dead-beat dad, I think you will be fine.

If this concern is weighing heavily on you - I can suggest 2 things.

1) Contact the EEOC or your local state employment agency and ask them if employers can refuse to hire based on marital/parental status. I am pretty sure that you cannot be discriminated solely on the basis that you have had wages garnished.
2) Ask the hiring manager, explained you are a father and you currently pay child-support through wage garnishment (I believe that some states do that automatically) and find out if it would be a problem.

xxxkaliboyxxx

Also, I have had soldiers that had their clearance suspended for financial reasons. They granted clearances just by providing a plan of action or how they are were obligating their responsibility, the soldier just went through a consolidated debt program, showed proof of enrollment and that was enough to get his TS back. You'll be fine.

DatabaseHead

We had a guy work for us who was busted for controlled substances twice, and was able to get a public trust, eventually secret clearance. The chic who had credit issues, had to work out a credit plan with her creditors and get a statement in writing before they would allow her to work again.

I didn't expect that.