Handy runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? Don’t ignore it, or you may encounter the same problem if false errors remain on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.
Does Handy Perform Background Checks?
Yes . Handy requires background checks and identity verification for all applicants. However, Handy does not do these background checks itself. Instead, it outsources this part of its screening process to another company (Checkr ).To facilitate the background check process, Handy asks all U.S. applicants to provide their Social Security Number . Handy also notes that there is a minimal fee associated with the background check, which is deducted from an applicant’s initial pay if he or she is approved.
Beyond that, Handy provides scant information about the background check process on its website. Specifically, it does not provide any details about what the background check covers and what constitutes a disqualifying offense.
Although you are an independent contractor and as such don’t actually work for Handy, the background check is conducted as part of an employment screening process. This means you have certain rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In accordance with this law you must: be informed if information from a background check has been used against you; be allowed to know what was in the background check report; and be allowed to dispute inaccurate or outdated information.
Unlike state laws, which may vary, federal law excludes information pertaining to arrests that occurred more than seven years ago from background check reports. The only exception to this rule is if the annual salary for the position you are seeking is greater than $75,000. There is no time limit for conviction records.
Finally, because Handy uses Checkr to run background checks, it must have your written consent first.
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Handy and the Gig Economy
Founded in 2012 Handy is a digital platform (website and app) that links people in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom who are in need of cleaning and other home services with people, called “pros” that can provide them.
Handy also entices people with relevant skills to sign up to become “pros” and secure work through the platform. It does so by promoting they ability to work when they wish and make a significant amount of money.
How Much They Promise You Can Earn
Handy doesn’t actually pay its “pros” since it doesn’t actually employ them . Instead, customers that book the “pros” through Handy’s platform also pay them through the platform. Even so, Handy claims that these “independent service professionals” can earn as much as $22 per hour per job while working as a cleaner or as much as $45 per hour per job as a handyman. Handy also claims that the amount its most successful pros can make exceeds $1,000 per week, and says it offers performance-based bonuses.
However, anecdotal evidence provided on indeed.com indicates that the average hourly salary for a handyman who secures work through the platform is roughly $29, and the average hourly salary for someone who provides cleaning or housekeeping services through Handy is approximately $17.
How Do I Qualify To Work For Handy?
In addition to passing the background check and identity verification, you must meet the following requirements to seek work through the Handy platform: have prior paid job experience providing cleaning or other home services; be legally permitted to work in the country where you are applying; and be able to interact well with customers.
You must also be at least 18 , have the ability to participate in legally binding agreements and be legally permitted to do so. Handy also mandates that pros hold the licenses as required by law for the work they intend to do, and that they have smartphones to access the Handy app.
And they’ll also run a background check on you….
What are my Background Check Disclosure and Consent Rights?
You have a right to know if an employer will use information from a background check against you and an employer cannot obtain background check information without your express written consent.
A background check company cannot hand over your information to an employer unless the employer certifies that: (1) it has “clearly and conspicuously” disclosed to you in a separate document that it may obtain a background check; (2) you have authorized it to get the background check; and (3) it will provide you with advance notice of any adverse action based in any part on the background check report, a copy of the report, and a summary of your rights under the FCRA.
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Handy Background Check Complaints
To date there don’t seem to be any readily available public information about people who have failed Handy background checks or been removed from the platform due to failed background checks.
But because you can’t start seeking work through the platform until you pass the background check, one applicant voiced concern in an Internet forum about a prolonged wait and lack of information about his background check results. In that case, the applicant said he applied in September and was still waiting to be approved two months later. He also said the only received about the delay was that his identification couldn’t be read.
In its Professional Help Center, Handy simply says applicants may have difficulty submitting background check information if it is already on file (from a previous application) or if Checkr is having technical difficulties. Applicants are also directed to contact Handy through an online form in the Professional Help Center if problems persist.
You Received A Pre-Adverse Action Notice From Handy. What Are Your Legal Rights?
By law, anyone who uses the information in a background check report to screen job applicants must let any applicant know when they didn’t get the based on the information in the report.
This means you have a right to see what is in the background check. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also be able to sue the company that requested the background check and rejected your application, or the company that issued the background check report
Your Right to an Accurate and Legally-Compliant Report From Handy
A background check company must take reasonable steps to ensure its report is as accurate as possible.
The FCRA also puts limits on the negative information a background check report can include. A report cannot list civil suits, judgments, arrest records, paid tax liens, accounts in collection or most other negative information (except criminal convictions) after 7 years, or bankruptcies after 10 years. It also cannot list expunged convictions
Your Right to Dispute an Unfair Background Check Report from Handy
If you don’t get a job because of information on your background check report, you are entitled to a copy of the report. You also have the right to dispute the report if it has errors or includes information it shouldn’t.
If you dispute your report, the background check company must investigate and correct any errors within 30 days.
Were You Harmed By False Information or Errors In Your Handy Background Check Report?
Often, whether you get hired or promoted depends on the information gleaned from an employment background check. A background check can come in many shapes and sizes. It may be as simple as verifying your social security number. Or it may include a detailed report of your credit and criminal history, or even information gathered from interviews of your friends and neighbors about your character and reputation.
Whatever the scope of the background check, the FCRA sets strict standards for how employers background check companies get consent for and conduct background checks, and what they can do with the information they find.
If a background check commissioned by Handy fails to meet those standards, the FCRA affords you a number of rights.
Your Right to File A Lawsuit Against Handy if your report includes inaccurate or illegal info
If you lost out on a Handy job or were suspended or fired because a background check report included inaccurate or illegal information, you may be able to sue in federal court. If you sue and win, you may be entitled to your actual damages or statutory damages up to $1,000, plus punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs.
Ready to Assert Your FCRA Rights?
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If you’re ready to assert your rights and fight incorrect information in your background check, we can help you get justice. Complete our form for a FREE case evaluation, or call 844-685-9200 NOW.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
Handy runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? Don’t ignore it, or you may encounter the same problem if false errors remain on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.
Had jobs on handy and 12 hours later was removed for in on background check no other info provided