Do You Background Check Employees? Security Standards for Portland Cleaning Services
Learn about employee background check requirements for commercial cleaning services in Portland. Understand security protocols, verification processes, and what to expect from professional cleaning companies.
If You’re Asking, You’re Thinking Smart
Handing over the keys to your office, your equipment, and your data - especially after hours - requires trust. And trust doesn’t come from a handshake. It comes from proof.
At RKA Cleaning, we treat access to your business the way we’d want others to treat ours - with serious care and full accountability. That starts with rigorous background checks on every team member we hire.
If you’re looking into Portland cleaning services and wondering what kind of screening is standard - or what should be - you’re asking the right questions.
Let’s get into the answers.
Why Background Checks Matter (More Than Ever)
Cleaning teams aren’t just “in the building.” They’re around:
- Expensive tech
- Private documents
- Confidential data
- Client-facing spaces
- And sometimes… alone
One bad hire can lead to months - or years - of damage control. Theft, data exposure, even just a poor reputation can cost your business more than any cleaning contract ever will.
What a Legit Background Check Actually Looks Like
Not all “background checks” are equal. A quick Google search or a county record lookup doesn’t cut it.
Here’s what a real pre-employment background check should include:
✅ Criminal History (National + State)
- Felonies & misdemeanors
- Theft, fraud, violence, substance-related charges
- Lookback window: 7–10 years minimum
✅ Identity + Legal Work Status
- Social Security verification
- I-9 form completion
- Confirmed right to work in the U.S.
✅ Employment History
- Real references (not just a friend with a voicemail)
- Gaps in employment explained
- Consistency in job titles and roles
✅ Drug + Alcohol Screening
- Especially for safety-sensitive sites (medical, manufacturing, etc.)
✅ Ongoing Monitoring
- Because people don’t stop being a risk after day one
Industry-Specific Background Expectations (Portland Clients Take Note)
Different facilities = different levels of screening. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Industry | Background Must-Haves |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | National checks, TB clearance, drug tests |
| Finance | Credit checks, federal database scans |
| Education | Abuse registry, state & federal checks |
| Gov Buildings | Security clearance, ID verification |
If a cleaning company says, “Oh we just do a local check,” - run.
Oregon & Portland: Local Laws to Know
Oregon has “Ban the Box” laws that delay when you can ask about criminal history - but not if you can for sensitive roles. Also worth noting:
- Marijuana is legal, but many employers still test
- Expunged records might not show - ask how they screen around that
- Some unions or contracts may have extra requirements
A legit company knows how to stay compliant while staying secure.
What You Should Ask Every Cleaning Company
Don’t be shy - ask them straight:
- Do you background check every employee? Or just a few?
- What exactly do you check for?
- Do you re-screen regularly?
- Can you show proof of these policies?
- Are your employees bonded and insured?
If the answers are vague, scripted, or defensive - that’s your answer.
What We Do at RKA CLEANING
No shortcuts. No guesswork.
🔍 Every Employee, Every Time:
- 7-year national background check
- SSN trace + ID verification
- Employment and reference checks
- Drug screening where required
- Legal right-to-work confirmation
🔁 Ongoing Trust:
- Annual re-screenings
- Real-time alerts for criminal activity
- Quick response procedures for incidents
📄 Full Documentation:
- We’ll provide verification - no problem
- Screening partner info available
- Insurance and bonding details on file
Beyond the Check: Built-In Security Culture
Background checks are the start. Here’s what else we build in:
- Secure check-in/check-out procedures
- Supervisor accountability
- Access tracking tools
- Incident reporting protocol
- Regular performance reviews
- On-site safety + security training
You don’t just get a cleaner. You get a screened, trained, and accountable team member.
Why It’s Worth It
Sure - background screening adds to our hiring cost. But peace of mind for you? Priceless.
Cleaning services shouldn’t be a risk factor. They should be one less thing to worry about.
Final Thought
If a cleaning company can’t tell you exactly how they vet their people… …then you already know what you’re dealing with.
At RKA CLEANING LLC, we don’t guess who we’re sending into your building - we know. We’ve screened them. We’ve trained them. We trust them enough to put our name on their uniform.
Need a cleaning partner you can trust behind the scenes? Let’s talk. We’ll walk you through our background check process and show you what full transparency looks like.
Because great cleaning should never come at the cost of your security.
About Rafat & Kendra Alhawash
We're the Alhawash family, and we've been keeping Portland workspaces clean and teams healthy for over 5 years. Through our hands-on experience cleaning everything from small offices to large complexes, we share practical insights to help local businesses create spaces where people love to work.
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