Man it was such a great post till the whole "Roll Tide" thing at the end
War Eagle!
Some utilities do use the Lexis Nexis background check for preliminary checks. I've never dealt with Lexis Nexis (except when I was taking law classes and used them for Legal Research) So I really can't give you an 'exact' reason as to why some utilities have started to do that. I can tell you that a LexisNexis background check really doesn't mean crap, procedure wise. The reason I say that is because there are so many procedures in place that require steps that sites such as LexisNexis wouldn't be able to provide. My theory (only a theory) is that they are using it as a tool to weed out the candidates that really don't have a chance. I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell someone that drove half way across the country they wouldn't be able to get a badge simply because of something that came up once they filled out their PHQ. So I imagine they may be using it to cut down on those instances especially if it is an important job. I would think if something bad enough came up through the LexisNexis check that they wouldn't schedule you to come in and fill out paperwork/physical.
I have worked with TVA a lot and never heard of them using LexisNexis. It has been about a year or more though that I've dealt with them though due to so many contract changes with TVA recently.
1) - I doubt you will hear back from the LexisNexis check unless there was negative information that came about.
2) - The background screeners that will end up doing your background will probably not even be on the same site as you. A lot of times these background screening companies are located at other plants and some are actual background screening companies that are used as a 3rd party in case of overload or tons of applicants. Some of the bigger companies such as D&Z have their own background screening programs that are permitted by the NRC and what they do is complete the background screening process. In turn they send the results (They call it a "Good guy letter" ) of that background to access authorization of whatever site you are going to. They make the final decision as to whether or not to badge you based on urinalysis and all the other aspects of the background process. The people that do backgrounds make NO Decision on whether you are hireable or not.
3) - The background screeners will contact EVERY job you have had in the past 3 years or since your last access to a nuclear plant. So in other words if you were working at TVA and got laid off in October then you would have to list what you have been doing since that time. They will definitely contact your current job BEFORE you get extended an offer. That is part of the background process. They will basically be verifying that you have been there the time you said you were and then basically all the other questions are drug/alcohol related questions. Some companies do answer these questions if we send them a copy of your Consent Form. A lot of companies do not respond to these requests which can take the background screener a little longer. They have to give the company 3 days to respond. If they don't respond within 3 days then they will give you an opportunity to provide a Co-worker/Supervisor who could vouch for you or even layoff slip W-2s etc. There are a few options.
A lot of it will depend on whether or not you have had access to a nuclear plant before. If you have had access within the past year then references won't even be called. It's all according to your status as to what type of background check will be done on you. Either way you will not get a real answer to your question of whether you got in or not until the background process is complete and you have completed all assignments in regards to in-processing. (Training, physical, drug screens, respiratory, whatever it is they have you doing will all have to be completed before you will get a badge.
Hopefully this is somewhat readable. Having to type this on a phone .
Good luck let me know if you have anymore questions
