Does Volunteer Work Show Up on a Background Check?

Similar to how you would vet the people you pay, screening volunteers is essential to avoiding legal liabilities and safety risks. While background checks are most often used in fields dealing with vulnerable demographics, they’re also used to recruit volunteers in all industries, even if the risk seems low.

Finding the right personnel is a must for any job. Find out if volunteer work appears on background checks and what information is used to screen unpaid workers.

Employers will not hesitate to conduct a background check on a potential hire. Because employees are paid personnel and are expected to be part of the team for an extended period, employers will want to protect their time and money by hiring the right talent.

However, volunteers often fly under the radar because they are not paid and their services are only temporary. Employers can be tempted to onboard anyone trying to help, and while volunteers usually have good intentions, it’s best to be thorough when enlisting help. Even if their intentions are well-aligned, using unqualified help can cause unintended harm.

Volunteer work doesn’t typically appear on background checks the same way employment history does. Employers can attempt to verify the volunteer experience listed on your resume, but not all companies keep a record of unpaid workers. Employers cannot rely on an individual’s volunteer experience to decide if their help should be enlisted.

Instead, background checks investigate other aspects of an individual, such as their criminal history, that can help employers find qualified volunteers. Whether your organization occasionally uses volunteers or relies heavily on volunteer work, background checks are essential to protecting the company.

Organizational reputation

Volunteers impact reputation, shape public trust, and represent your brand. The people you serve cannot tell the difference between employees and volunteers. All they know is that they are representing your organization. Just like the type of people you choose as employees reflects on you and the company, the kind of people you choose as volunteers does too.

If the people brought on to help are not qualified for the position, that reflects on you, regardless of whether or not they’re paid. Background checks help confirm that candidates are qualified and trustworthy for the position.

Non-profit organizations rely heavily on the work of volunteers, so this personnel often influences their public image. These volunteers are typically placed in roles dealing with the people the nonprofit serves. If a volunteer harms a client, that reflects poorly on the organization.

Volunteers can also be employed in roles dealing with the organization’s finances, such as managing concessions or collecting donations. If a volunteer commits theft, embezzlement, or another financial crime, they harm the nonprofit’s finances and its trust with donors.

A background check prevents bad volunteers, ensuring the organization’s reputation is upheld and trusted. Protecting your image is especially crucial for nonprofits that often rely on donations for funding. Without a trustworthy reputation, funding is likely to drop.

Public safety

Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for their staff and those they serve. The people you call on to carry out your work influence the safety of those around them. Background checks help you avoid unsuitable personnel and curb workplace crimes, such as petty theft.

Background checks also help ensure the safety of vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Volunteers in these fields are often subject to more extensive screenings, and volunteer work is often needed.

Volunteers are regularly used in school environments, such as field trip chaperones, assistant coaches, and classroom aides. While these volunteers are typically parents, this doesn’t automatically qualify them as safe or trustworthy. Performing background checks on all volunteers, regardless of their relationship with the people they serve, maintains the highest level of safety.

Volunteers are also used in caregiving institutions, such as nursing homes or senior living communities. Caregiving situations come with an inherent power imbalance as the person receiving care, regardless of why, is vulnerable. The caregiver is in a position to take advantage of that.

Background checks should always take place to protect those in vulnerable positions. Thorough screenings can reduce the risk of abuse, neglect, theft, and other crimes. Even if the volunteer is honest, background checks ensure they are qualified to handle the position.

Liability

Because volunteers are seen as temporary, employers often don’t see them as capable of causing as much damage as an employee could. However, volunteers are an investment just like employees. They require training and trust, and often hold as much responsibility as hired help.

Volunteers can be entrusted with an organization’s assets, such as credit cards, files, or resources, which means they can potentially commit embezzlement, fraud, theft, or other employment crimes. Familiarize yourself with your state’s applicable laws and consult your insurance company. Your insurance may require you to screen all personnel, including volunteers. If a volunteer hasn’t been screened, you could be liable for their actions.

In addition, your local laws may require you to perform background checks on volunteers. Certain volunteers must be screened under federal law. Personnel in caregiving positions typically need background checks due to HIPAA and other legislation. Most states have protections for children, so volunteers working with children must be thoroughly vetted.

Volunteers must be informed of your intent to perform a background check, and they must provide their written consent.