Walgreens runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? If you just ignore it, you may keep having the same problem because false information or errors may stay on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.
Does Walgreens Perform Background Checks?
Yes, Walgreens requires background checks for all U.S. applicants. However, the company does not provide any information about what the background check involved or what constitutes a disqualifying offense.
However, Internet websites dedicated to helping people convicted of felonies reenter the workforce provide some insight into the process. For example, a post on jobsforfelonshub.com confirms that Walgreens asks all applicants for consent to conduct a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug test. The site also indicates that Walgreens will check for any felony convictions within the past seven years, but that it won’t necessarily deny an application because of a felony conviction within that time. Instead, each application is considered on its individual merits and factors that are taken into consideration include: the amount of time that has elapsed since completion of the sentence; the type of felony conviction; whether it was a violent or nonviolent offense; and whether or not the applicant was honest about the conviction.
Because the background check required by Walgreens is conducted for employment purposes, you have certain legal rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These rights arethe right to be informed if information from a background check has been used against you; the right to know what was in the background check report; and the right to challenge inaccurate or outdated information.
Within this context, you should be aware that state laws vary. However, federal law does not allowinformation about arrests that occurred more than seven years ago to be included in background check reports. The only exception to this is if the annual salary for the position you are seeking is more than $75,000. There is no time limit for conviction records.
Finally, if Walgreen uses another company to run background checks, it must have your written consent first.
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Walgreens and Big Retail
Founded in 1901 , Walgreens is now one of the largest drugstore chains in the United States. As such, it has 240,000 employees andmore than 9,500 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.It also serves millions of customers in its stores and online each day.
Benefits of Working At Walgreens
There are all sorts of job opportunities at Walgreens. The company hires people for positions in its stores, in its pharmacies, its healthcare clinics and in distribution. Qualified candidates can also apply for corporate positions.
Clearly with so many different positions to fill in so many locations, salaries vary greatly. An entry-level sales associate can make $9 per hour, while the starting salary for a qualified pharmacy technician is $11 per hour. Managers in training and shift leaders at Walgreens stores generally earn between $12.00 and $16.00 an hour.
As a Walgreens employee, you will also be eligible for certain benefits including but not limited to paid time off, health insurance, company-paid life insurance, profit sharing and stock purchase plans.
How Do I Qualify To Work For Walgreens?
Again, the requirements will vary depending on what type of position you are seeking. In addition to being able to pass the background check and drug tests, you must be at least 16 to be hired for some positions and at least 18 to be hired for others . Along with the specific qualifications required for the job, you should also have a good work ethic , enjoy working with the public and have a positive attitude.
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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Walgreens Background Check Complaints
Currently there does not seem to be much public information about the wrongful denial of applicants based on the outcome of their background check reports. However, there seems to be some concern about how long the process takes.
In one online forum , someone said that Walgreens does an “extensive background check” that “takes forever.” Specifically, he alleges that HR “sits on” report when they get the reports, especially “if there is a question about it.” This particular applicant said he waited three weeks before following up with HR. When he did, he learned the delay was due to “a simple moving violation” that turned up even though it happened 11 years prior.
You Received A Pre-Adverse Action Notice From Walgreens. 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 Walgreens
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
Were You Harmed By False Information or Errors In Your Walgreens Background Check Report?
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.
Your Right to Dispute an Unfair Background Check Report from Walgreens
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 Walgreens fails to meet those standards, the FCRA affords you a number of rights.
Your Right to File A Lawsuit Against Walgreens if your report includes inaccurate or illegal info
If you lost out on a Walgreens 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.
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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."
Walgreens runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? If you just ignore it, you may keep having the same problem because false information or errors may stay on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.