What are yellow flags on a background check?

Asked by: Mrs. Hermina Olson  |  Last update: March 8, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (24 votes)

Rule of thumb: should there be any doubt with an applicant, always flag. Examples of consistency/logistical yellow flags include rescheduling fingerprinting or their interview three times, or frequently committing to next screening steps but not following through.

What does a yellow flag mean on a background check?

Generally though, a “yellow flag" means that the screening found some derogatory information, but nothing that satisfied any criteria for automatic disqualification. Think of a warning versus an error; one indicates something that you should watch for, and the other indicates an actual problem.

What does a yellow flag warning mean?

Yellow Flags

When ocean conditions are rough, but not life-threatening, you might see an yellow flag on the beach. A yellow flag indicates potentially high surf or dangerous currents and undertows, and means that swimmers should exercise extreme caution.

How do you know if you passed or failed a background check?

If you want to know whether you passed your check, you can either reach out to the employer who requested it or reach out to the background check company itself. Ultimately, you can fight for yourself, especially if you fail your background record check.

What does a flagged background check mean?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

Red Flag In Background Check?

23 related questions found

What does it mean when your check is flagged?

Flagging is a key element of fraud prevention. It alerts companies to suspicious financial activity and provides a middle ground where transactions can be manually reviewed rather than rejected outright or allowed through unchecked.

What is the orange flag on a background check?

Orange not a Red Flag? A bad reference is not always a red flag, requiring immediate rejection, but it is often an orange flag deserving investigation. For example, the most common reason that people are fired is for poor performance/not meeting targets after employee evaluation.

How do I know if I'll pass a background check?

7 Tips for Ensuring You Pass Employment Background Checks
  • Make sure you're well-prepared for these checks. ...
  • Check your credit. ...
  • Review your driving record. ...
  • Be informed about banned substances. ...
  • Contact former employers and ask for copies of your employment records. ...
  • Research local employment laws. ...
  • Beat employers to it.

What looks bad on a background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

Can you still get a job if you fail a background check?

Depending on the role to be assumed by the job candidate and the information uncovered by the background check, a failed background check after a job offer generally does not automatically disqualify them from the position.

What are considered yellow flags?

Obstacles that can be classed as yellow flags include many aspects of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Some common examples include: Catastrophising – thinking the worst. Finding painful experiences unbearable, reporting extreme pain disproportionate to the condition.

What does a yellow warning mean?

A yellow warning could mean some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, power cuts may occur, and there may be potential to affect other services (transport). A large area of the UK is forecast to be hit by 'strong winds' over 24 hours. ( Image: Met Office)

Does a yellow flag mean anything?

A flag of a yellow colour: Yellow flag (contagion), historically displayed on ships to indicate the presence of disease or quarantine (obsolete); also used in some cities to mark a recent death in a neighborhood, regardless of cause. Racing flags, used in motor sports to indicate hazardous conditions.

What happens during a yellow flag?

Yellow Flag

It comes in two forms: a single-waved yellow and double-waved yellow. In both cases, a driver must slow down, avoid overtaking and must be prepared to avoid a hazard up ahead. In a double-waved yellow, they must slow down considerably, as it is often used when marshals are on track.

What disqualifies you from a federal background check?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

What does yellow marking flag mean?

Here's a key to the flags' colors: RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables. YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam Petroleum or Gaseous Materials. ORANGE – Communication, Cable TV, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit. BLUE – Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines.

What does a failed background check look like?

A “failed” background check means the results of the background screening report returned alerts on a job candidate, such as a criminal conviction, a suspended driver's license, or a positive drug test.

What gets flagged on a background check?

Employment History Discrepancies
  • Criminal Records. This one might seem like the biggest of red flags, but that's not always true. ...
  • Poor Credit History. ...
  • Inconsistent Education. ...
  • Negative References. ...
  • Substance Abuse. ...
  • Legal Issues and Litigation. ...
  • Social Media Activity. ...
  • Poor Fit.

What convictions can stop you from getting a job?

Theft/Shoplifting – Any conviction involving an element of dishonesty or stealing is a huge red flag for employers. They may worry you could steal from the company. Drug Possession – Even a minor marijuana possession charge can disqualify you from many jobs, especially those involving operating vehicles or machinery.

What background check do most employers use?

The most common types of employment background screening include: Address History, Civil Records, SSN Verification, Criminal Records, Resume Verification, Medical Registration and Sanctions, and Drug and Alcohol Testing.

How do you tell a candidate they failed the background check?

Notify Your Job Candidate

In addition to informing the candidate that you're considering adverse action due to their background check results, you must provide a few extra documents, including: A summary of the candidate's background check results. A copy of the background check report.

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?

Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.

What causes a yellow flag on a background check?

Rule of thumb: should there be any doubt with an applicant, always flag. Examples of consistency/logistical yellow flags include rescheduling fingerprinting or their interview three times, or frequently committing to next screening steps but not following through.

What does yellow review mean on a background check?

Green Check Mark: The background cleared with no areas of concern. This candidate can be moved to "Hired". Yellow Caution Sign: There is a potential area of concern.

How do you know when a background check is complete?

There's a simple answer to this one! Once the background check duration period has ended and the results are in, the employer will either call or email you to let you know that the background has cleared. You may not even receive a notification that you passed the background check – you may simply receive a job offer.