I accepted an offer and I'm supposed to start on Monday, but I am still waiting for the background check to clear.

Anonymous

January 17,2024 at 4:55PM UTC

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I accepted an offer and I'm supposed to start on Monday, but I am still waiting for the background check to clear. I checked and it said my background check is scheduled to be clear by Thursday/Friday. The Dilemma is, the company is shipping my equipment to me.

I am wondering if my equipment will still be shipped to me before my start date. The mail center they're shipping to is not open on the weekends. So, I am wondering as soon as my background clears, will they overnight the equipment? I am excited to start and don't want to push back the date! Anyone have stories to share about getting your equipment at the last minute?

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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 17,2024 at 5:41PM UTC
My company does not ship the laptop until you are actually an employee. They overnight it on your first day.
AnonymousJanuary 17,2024 at 6:53PM UTC
Companies are typically able to overnight any equipment you’ll be using, especially if your agreed upon start date is approaching.
Good luck!!
Farah BajwaJanuary 17,2024 at 6:55PM UTC
yes, i think i finally got a laptop a month in and monitors like 5 months in.
My manager wasn't too concerned because we spent that time doing orientation and onboarding.
Most managers are realistic and don't expected that your work station will be ready to go on day 1.
Farah BajwaJanuary 17,2024 at 8:03PM UTC
I want to also add that all you need to have ready is your can-do attitude. It's their responsibility to get you your equipment so if it isn't ready, it's not on you, it's on them
AnonymousJanuary 17,2024 at 7:25PM UTC
Sure, that happens all the time.
AnonymousJanuary 18,2024 at 1:42AM UTC
Happened with me last-minute as well
AnonymousJanuary 18,2024 at 1:32PM UTC
this post interests me because being a corporate recruiter for many,
many, years the on boarding process and background check window of time is ridiculously long.
I would execute the paperwork with the background release information and required on boarding information that designates your laptop, equipment, etc. etc. once the offer was accepted, you should have a firm start date. At that point it became a grueling process for me to chase after IT and the manager of this new employee to complete their end ?there were times where the equipment came on the day of start or the day before or the day after it was exhausting. and chasing down. all of these people was not my responsibility but when you’re receiving the calls from the new hires, wondering why they haven’t heard anything you just want to move forward and do what you can. It was an ongoing problem. The company decided mostly the IT department, they need a three week out start date to make sure that everyone was getting the necessary start accessories, but that didn’t work either. It seems like it should be black and white but clearly it’s not. Don’t be surprised if you get your equipment on the day of start or shortly there after but good luck in your new job.
AnonymousJanuary 18,2024 at 1:59PM UTC
Have you spoken to HR about this?
BarbaraJanuary 18,2024 at 2:02PM UTC
Sounds like their problem not yours. It should all be fine once all fhe HR boxes are checked
Peace OutJanuary 18,2024 at 2:23PM UTC
So does your offer state it is contingent on you successfully passing the background screen? During and since COVID, due to at times rather significant delays in running background checks, we'd sometimes start an individual with the understanding that if something unfavorable came back, they would be done. Most people know what is in their background and would have no issue with that. Talk to the recruiter or HR that your worked with and see what their thoughts are.
Evelyn CruzJanuary 18,2024 at 2:43PM UTC
Do NOT worry relax. You start when you receive your equipment and the approve you to start. They can start you without receiving your completed background check because your employment is contingent on you passing it. If anything goes wrong they can talk to you and react at that time.
AnonymousJanuary 18,2024 at 3:44PM UTC
Did you ask them? They would know their own company's answers. Them, you, us, can only control some much, control what is in your power and let everything else go.