Last week, one of my "chores" to do was to get fingerprinted for my employer. It is a necessary evil to do an FBI background check in the USA. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. I have come to learn living over here that anything that would "normally" take 5 minutes takes at least 20 in the UK....or more. Finding the site online...it stated that fingerprints would be necessary to do the criminal background check. Actually, I think it would be easier to commit a crime here and get it done more timely. I went to 2 local police stations...the response. "We don't do those here". Hmm...I might have known. Bet they have tea though.
I then had to go into Birmingham City to attempt it. Attempt a good word of choice. The station that does the printing stated that I needed a receipt of payment which I must obtain from a DIFFERENT station up the street. THIS message delivered by 2 young ladies from "upstairs" that joined us after the older gentleman at the desk "found out" what department did them. I would like to be joking...but I am not.
After going up the street...the "other" station stated that I must have a letter or form from my employer stating a request for fingerprinting to be done here as request for background check. *sigh* This gets better.
I returned to work and investigated this through "human resources". The majority of the day in my calls or visits to certain offices...I was met with a most curious look or tone. " I have never heard of such a thing being done here" (!?) Finally reaching the right person...she stated..."Oh yes..we would like that done please....but since it is short notice...we will have to reimburse you." This, mind you, is occuring nearly 1 month already into my employment. I am already working! Yet luckily...she produced a letter for me that day of my appointment...I was impressed!
So...back to Birmingham city i go.....(one short bus ride from work mind you....although the wind and rain was beyond ridiculous) I entered the appropriate station...even 15 minutes early....not much of a line ("Q" the Brits call them...I won't bother to try to spell it) I present my note and am given ANOTHER form to complete....as I am filling in the lines...i hear...."Wait....don't bother completing that form....this isn't acceptable" She states from behind the glass. I only look up with what was probably a look of pure hate. "Excuse me?" I say. "This says you need a CRB...not one word about fingerprints." I actually start laughing rudely and ask her if she is joking. I can see by the look on her stoic face that she most certainly is not. At this point I just turn and walk out....mumbling and good thing i was...or I would probably been fingerprinted if an officer would have overheard me. My mother would not have been proud. I attempted to call the office that had provided me with the letter only to get a student on the phone who has NO idea what I need or who to let me talk to in order to get an answer. The actual letter blows out of my hands out into the busy street. Rather than let it go....I wait patiently for all traffic to go by and trod across the street in the rain to retrieve it. All distraught for what has transpired. Until I realize while walking that this is not my problem....they should have had this rubbish dealt with before I got the job....not 1 month after. Maybe I will get them...maybe I won't. I know that I have no record in the US....they will just have to wait to find out. Of course...now having been here 8 months....I realize....waiting is what is done here.
No comments:
Post a Comment