Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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Recently a friend and fellow work-camper has brought to my attention an experience which has me puzzled, and just a bit irritated. It seems that they applied for and were invited to be volunteers for a Washington State Park. But there was a catch that came with the position. They were to have a background check(which Pam & I have had many times) and that in order to do that they must either pay someone to take fingerprints or travel to the park HQ and have them do it. This resulted in their decision to pass on the Washington State Park system.
The next place that they applied was to the California State Parks where they also received an invitation to accept a position, but this one came with the information that they were to pay a fee of $65 for fingerprinting and a fingerprint check. They have also walked away from this one.
What I am wondering is if anyone out there has had this kind of experience, in either Washington or California or any other state or agency? We have been in many positions that required a background check but to date, not one of them have expected us to be fingerprinted, nor have they expected us to pay for any part of that check. It is very common to be asked for your SS number and a copy of your driver's license for these checks and to also sign a permission for that background check. I suspect that with current privacy laws, you probably have to giver permission for the background check to be legal.
I have no issues with the checks as there are some pretty strange people around and we often deal not only with the public, but even with school groups and children's groups. As such, we consider that one of the things that a responsible agency must do but we would not be willing to pay the cost of it. As to fingerprints, I would happily supply those as well, but not at my expense. Both of us have prints on file as Pam worked for the government and I was in the Navy and held a security clearance both there and later in my civilian career. But I don't pay to go and work places and do not plan to start.
Has anyone else had the experience of being printed, or expected to pay to have it done? What about volunteers in parks for either California or Washington? What have been your experiences?
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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4*phun*2
Canada
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Joined: 09/24/2008
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If you want to work for my company i will deduct from your first pay $40 for the back ground check that we run. If this comes back negative, and you still want to work for me you will be asked to go to the police and be fingerprinted and have a second background check done at your expense. I will them decide whether or not I will hire you.
This is the way of the world. I need to protect my clients from bad people.
Glenn & Karen
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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Probably the states' budget problems led to their requesting fingerprints at the applicants' expense - I've sure never heard of that (and would not be pleased if I were the applicant!) I was fingerprinted 40+ years ago when beginning a job (as a hotel dishwasher) in Yellowstone; we all were. We were told it was because we were working in a national park. So JEdgar and his successors have had my prints on file a long time! 
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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When I was doing personnel work for the State of Kansas I was told it was illegal to require the applicant to pay fees for testing of any kind. IF I needed them to take a physical or a back ground check it was on MY dime. Laws may have changed.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
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We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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rreece
Austin TX on the road full time now
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Joined: 12/15/2003
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This is just another 'favor' the world does for volunteers. They expect a couple to work 74 hours for a parking spot in the maintaince yard, pay for the gas in their private vehicle to do the work etc. etc. We have passed up a number of opportunities like this and have talked to other workamping 'volunteers' that have stopped volunteering.
Ron & Pat
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SteveRuff
Bacliff, Texas, USA
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Joined: 11/06/2004
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If I am volunteering I would tell them to take it out of my first check. I will work to give back and work to pay for my RV site, but i will not pay to work for free.
Both retired. Travel with Nicky the Schnoodle. Son graduated and is teaching high school math. We notice he still prefers to use our checkbook! We still love our 2006 34' Allegro Bay XB and have 25,000+ miles on her.
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The Texan
Summer: Cascade, Idaho - Winter: A Warm Climate
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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It's called, "As the World Turns" and it has been turning faster in the past 9 years, than ever before. You can expect more such invasion into your life, on your dime, as the paranoia gets greater. You are going to have to decide if the benefits of a "volunteer position" are worth the initial expense and intrusion. It is not just State jobs that are now requiring the prints and BI on your dime, many private employers are also jumping on the fear wagon.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & FT Class of 2002
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins -With-'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC, Z-71, the pusher & our '07 Arctic Cat 500A & '08 Suzuki KQ 400A, riding in the pusher.
Where the wheels are stopped
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Love Boat II
Some where in the USA
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Joined: 05/20/2004
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4*phun*2 wrote:If you want to work for my company i will deduct from your first pay $40 for the back ground check that we run. If this comes back negative, and you still want to work for me you will be asked to go to the police and be fingerprinted and have a second background check done at your expense. I will them decide whether or not I will hire you.
This is the way of the world. I need to protect my clients from bad people.
How does it feel to work by your self ?
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JUrban
Delaware
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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I heard a rumor the other day that the air we breathe is still free, but they are trying to figure out a way to charge you for the privilege of taking each breath.
Eventually, they may get the idea why they are getting so few volunteers. If you decide to pass on the "pay to volunteer" be sure to tell them why.
This is the reason why I don't donate blood in Delaware. They charge you for the privilege and then charge the recipient for your freely donated blood. (beyond the cost of collection, processing, storage and delivery)(It's a profit making entity, not the American Red Cross)
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
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Trailer Trash 2
Santa Fe Springs, CA
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Joined: 06/01/2004
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My 2 cents worth.... I do not have any problem with a security check to get employment with a company. if you do (my opinion) are you hiding something?? Warrents maybe??? Ileagal resident??? I dont call it a invaison of privacy as some do, they should also require a drug test with the background check.
And if they require these test it should be paid for by the company wanting them not the person applying for the job. also if they do these test and you have to pay for them it should be good for a peroid of time, sorta like a ID Card with a magnetic strip incripted on it with a exprireation date.
Don & Georgia
AKA: Trailer Trash 2
Real trucks don't have spark plugs.
2009, Dodge, 3500, Q Cab, Cum/Diesel, D.R.W.
Pulling a Super Fine Montana 2980RL
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