UPS Background Check

Like most large companies, UPS carries out a background check on every applicant, but the UPS background check isn’t the same for every role.

If you’re thinking about applying for a job with UPS, you may be concerned that something from your past could ruin your chances of getting hired.

If you’re applying for a job in one of their warehouses, for example, the background screening is less strict than it is for someone hoping to land a driving job.

In this article, we’ll focus on the UPS criminal background check disqualifiers for warehouse applicants first, then we’ll take a look at the extra requirements you’ll face if you plan to apply for work as a UPS driver.

Finally, we’ll go over the laws that background check companies have to follow, and explain what you can do if you fail your UPS background check.

UPS Background Check For Warehouse Staff

Working at a UPS warehouse is a tough job. When they say you should enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, they mean it. The work is hot, heavy, and physically taxing.

Because of this, a lot of the people that UPS hires don’t last too long. A high turnover means that UPS can’t be super picky about who they hire.

That’s good news for you if you have a less than stellar background.

To be clear about the types of jobs we’re talking about for this lower-level background check, the roles typically include package handlers, truck loaders, and truck unloaders.

This is entry-level work. Warehouse supervisor positions may have stricter requirements.

In June 2021, in response to increased hiring pressure, UPS implemented an expedited hiring process and a more relaxed background check for entry-level warehouse workers.

In the past, the company usually took 2 – 3 weeks to move through the application and interview stages before making a job offer.

Now, they have a streamlined online application and aim to make a job offer within 30 minutes.

They also realized that they didn’t need to do extensive background checks on warehouse workers, so they cut back employment history checks.

You may also be pleased to know that you don’t have to take a drug test to get an entry-level job at a UPS warehouse.

This welcome news was confirmed by the UPS head of online recruiting, Matt Lavery. In an interview with NPR, Mr. Lavery revealed that drug testing was no longer part of the recruitment process.

Read Also: Does UPS Hire people with felonies?

What Will UPS Look For During Your Background Check?

The background check will confirm your identity. They need to know for certain that you are who you claim to be so that they can legally hire you and so they pull the right records during your background check.

As long as you aren’t trying to work using another person’s ID and social security number, you’ll pass this part of the check, no problem.

Your background check will also verify your most recent employment. If, for example, you stated on your application that you have warehouse experience from your last job, then your work record needs to reflect that, or they will most likely decide not to hire you for being dishonest.

Those two areas of the UPS level 2 background check are entirely under your control. Be honest on your application and you will pass those parts.

Now comes the part that isn’t under your control.

UPS will look for past criminal activity, and depending on your state law, this search can go back a long time.

Your criminal record background search will check databases at the federal, state, and county levels.

Unless your state has legislation in place limiting what background checks can disclose, you should expect UPS to be made aware of all of your criminal activity for at least the last 7 years.

This includes arrests, charges, misdemeanor convictions, felony convictions, warrants, pending charges and court proceedings, prison release dates, and parole dates.

UPS hasn’t made public their policy on how far back they will go when looking at your criminal history, but they have refused some applicants because of felonies that occurred over 10 years ago.

However, a felony on your record won’t automatically disqualify you. UPS will look at the nature of the offense and how long ago it took place. They will also take into account your record since the offense. A clean record over that time will work in your favor, while subsequent arrests will not.

Related Article: Does Walmart Do Background Checks?

Does UPS Do Background Check For Delivery Drivers

The UPS store background check for delivery drivers is stricter than for entry-level warehouse work.

Drivers spend their working hours unsupervised, in control of an expensive vehicle and many thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and equipment.

Some drivers also interact with members of the public when they make deliveries.

Because of this, UPS must ensure that drivers are trustworthy and pose no risk to others when driving or making deliveries.

UPS drivers fall into several categories.

• Package Delivery Driver
• Tractor-Trailer Driver
• Freight Driver
• Personal Vehicle Driver

All drivers, except for Personal Vehicle Drivers, are governed by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The UPS driver background check also falls under DOT rules.

A tractor-trailer and freight driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and all applicants for a UPS driver job must be at least 21 years old.

As an aspiring UPS driver, your background check will cover everything mentioned in the section above concerning warehouse staff.

• Identity check
• Employment check
• Criminal record check

While some criminal offenses will be overlooked for warehouse applicants, UPS holds drivers too much higher standards.

That’s not to say that it will be impossible for you to get a UPS driving job with a criminal record. But recent criminal offenses will make it unlikely that you’ll be hired.

UPS will also scrutinize your driving record. This stands to reason because of the nature of the job.

Your background check will verify your driver’s license and make sure that it hasn’t been suspended or revoked.

At the very least, UPS will expect to see a clean driving record for the last 3 years. This is a DOT requirement and UPS may want to look back further than that.

DOT rules state that employers must verify your safety record over your last 3 years of employment.

The background check will make sure that you hold all the necessary licenses and have passed the required road tests.

Before they can approve you for a driving job that requires a CDL, under DOT rules, you must pass a drug and alcohol screening and have no record of drug or alcohol violations over the last 3 years.

To drive a commercial vehicle that falls under DOT rules, you will also have to pass a medical exam to make sure that you don’t suffer from any conditions that would make you an unsafe driver and a risk to yourself and others.

If you make it as far as the medical exam, you can be confident that you passed the rest of the background check. Sending you for a physical costs UPS money and they won’t spend unnecessary money unless they’re planning to hire you.

Does UPS  Conduct Background Checks For Delivery Drivers Assistant

The delivery driver assistant role doesn’t involve driving, so you don’t need a driver’s license, nor do you have to meet any of the other specific requirements listed above for UPS drivers.

You will undergo the same background checking process as warehouse applicants, but because your role will be unsupervised, give you responsibility for expensive goods, and put you in contact with members of the public, your criminal background will play a larger role in your hiring decision.

Laws Governing Background Checks

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs all background checks carried out in the United States.

This act limits background checks to 7 years, however, you should know that the 7-year rule doesn’t apply to felony convictions.

Under the FCRA any arrests, charges, dropped charges, warrants, and misdemeanor convictions older than 7 years cannot be reported on your pre-employment background check.

Some states have passed laws to make it easier for people with felonies on their record to find employment. At the time of writing, 13 states limit background check reporting of felony convictions to 7 years.

These states are:

• California
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• Texas
• Washington State (not Washington DC)

Steps To Take If You Fail Your Background Check

If you fail your background check or any other pre-employment background check, you are entitled to receive a free copy of the background report so that you can check the validity of the information reported about you.

Mistakes happen, and it’s not uncommon for false information to show in a report. You may find that an offense committed by another person sharing your name or your address has been wrongly attached to your record.

Check through your report and make sure that it is accurate.

If you find mistakes, the background check agency must correct the report.

Another step you can take if you have less serious offenses marking your record is to see if those offenses are eligible for expungement.

To have an offense expunged, you will need to hire a specialist lawyer who will make an application to the court.

If you are successful, then the offense is wiped from your record as if it never happened.

Does UPS do background checks (FAQs)

What Does UPS Look For In A Background Check?

UPS will verify some basic information in your background check, including your identity, recent employment history, and your criminal record.

If you’re applying for a driving job, they will check your driving record and license over the last 3 years, in line with Department Of Transportation rules.

All applicants for driving jobs at UPS need to pass a drug and alcohol screen and a medical exam. Entry-level warehouse applicants do not need to take a drug test.

More on UPS Drug Testing Policy.

How Long Does A Background Check Take With UPS?

For warehouse applicants, a background check should be fairly fast. Depending on how busy the HR department and the background checking agency are, you could wait as little as 1 day or as long as 3 weeks.

Applicants for driving jobs should also get a quick response with their background check but will have to undergo a drug screen and a medical exam, which makes the hiring process take a little longer.

What Does USPS Background Check Consist Of?

A background check at the United States Postal Service will confirm your identity and employment history, along with your qualifications and education record, and will report any driving offenses and a criminal background that you may have.

Conclusion

The UPS criminal background check seeks to verify basic information about you, confirm your recent employment history, and find out if you have a criminal record that could make you a risky hire.

Applicants for UPS driving jobs are subject to stricter background checks, which have to follow DOT rules regarding licenses and driving records. Drivers also need to pass a drug screen and a medical.

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