Background check questions
Anybody know if their is a set limit of years a job can go back in a background check in Illinois. I tried doing a search over the internet but cant find anything. I see on some job apps that say "in the past 7 years" or "5 years". Is their a set time by law that how far they can go back in. Does a company have to say up front on the app how many years they are going back in to check?
Job Application Inquiries
It depends upon the subject matter. For example, in Illinois, if the employer were to ask on an application if you had any arrests during such a period of time, that inquiry would be improper as Illinois forbids discrimination based upon an arrest record. If the inquiry were about convictions resulting in incarceration, the inquiry would probably be permissible. If the inquiry were about major medical conditions or past workers' compensation claims, and were made prior to the employer's extending a firm offer of employment, the inquiry would likely be improper. However, a general inquiry about any health condition which might interfere with the applicant's ability to perform job-related functions would likely be permitted.