R.E. Michel Company: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

According to its About Us page, R.E. Michel Company began in 1935, when Robert E. Michel and his wife, Mary Ellen, went into business as a supplier of oil burner parts and supplies. They leased a couple of rooms in a row house in Baltimore, Maryland. The company says it has since grown into one of the nation's leading distributors of air conditioning, heating, propane, and refrigeration equipment, parts, and supplies, and it describes itself as a family business to this day.

The About Us page says the company has grown to more than 1,950 employees working at more than 300 locations coast to coast, with a fleet of more than 400 delivery vehicles supplying products out of its branches. It says the product line includes more than 35,000 line items from more than 1,000 manufacturers, and customers can order through an e-commerce website and a mobile app that shows local inventory. These figures come from the company's own page and may be out of date.

R.E. Michel also runs a customer training operation. The About Us page mentions a professional training staff and a live fire training facility in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The Career Opportunities page lists openings such as local delivery driver, warehouse and driver, HVAC counter sales, HVAC outside sales, and HVAC branch manager, and an employee testimonial on the page describes a path from a technician role to supervising an IT help desk.

Company culture and employee programs:

R.E. Michel's careers page highlights four benefit areas: health and wellbeing benefits, financial and income protection plans, exclusive discounts and perks, and time off. It also features testimonials from employees who describe long careers with the company, including one who moved from delivery driver to branch manager. Specific benefits, pay, and schedules may vary by role and branch, so candidates should confirm details during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the HVAC and refrigeration wholesale distribution industry, including R.E. Michel Company, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks, provided they follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state and local laws. Because R.E. Michel has branches in many states, the rules that apply to a given job may differ by branch location.

R.E. Michel Company is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, though the exact checks may vary by role and branch. This fits standard practice among distributors, where employees may drive company vehicles, handle high-value inventory, or manage customer accounts. The company does not publish a screening policy on its careers page, so candidates should review the consent forms provided during hiring.

The R.E. Michel Company hiring process typically starts with applying to a posted job through the Career Opportunities page. The page lists open positions by title and branch location, and some postings announce hiring events with walk-in interviews. Selected candidates generally interview with a branch manager or recruiter. Candidates who receive a conditional offer are usually asked to consent to a background check and any other pre-employment requirements before they start.

An R.E. Michel Company background check often comes back within a few business days, though the time varies by the searches ordered. Turnaround depends on the searches ordered, how quickly courts and agencies respond, and how many places a candidate has lived or worked. Searches that cover several counties or states, or that require contacting past employers, can take longer than a single-county search. Candidates who want more detail on typical timelines can review background check turnaround times.

The employer decides which searches to run. For a distribution role at R.E. Michel Company, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review any disclosure and consent forms provided during the hiring process to understand which searches will be conducted for their specific role.

R.E. Michel Company may require a drug test for certain roles, but it does not publish its policy on the careers page, so requirements can vary by position and branch. Jobs that involve driving delivery vehicles or operating warehouse equipment are the kind of roles where employers commonly use drug screening, and driving jobs covered by federal Department of Transportation rules can carry testing requirements of their own. Candidates should review any disclosure paperwork and ask the recruiter what applies to their role.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

R.E. Michel Company does not publish a detailed policy on hiring people with felony records, and decisions are typically made case by case. Factors that may matter include the type of offense, how long ago it occurred, and the duties of the specific role, such as whether it involves driving or handling customer payments. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates should answer applications honestly and be ready to discuss their background.

Candidates will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually through a disclosure form provided during the hiring process. Applicants should be ready to supply accurate personal information, including full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history, because accurate details help searches run in the right places and avoid delays. Driver and warehouse-and-driver applicants may also be asked for a valid driver's license.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Driver and warehouse jobs at R.E. Michel Company may include a driving record check in addition to a criminal history search. The Career Opportunities page lists roles such as local delivery driver and warehouse and driver, and employers hiring for jobs that involve operating vehicles typically review license status and driving history. Warehouse positions may also include identity and employment history checks. Exact requirements vary by role and branch and are usually explained in the job posting and consent forms.

You apply through the Career Opportunities page on the R.E. Michel Company website, which lists open jobs by title and branch location. The page invites candidates with questions about the application process to contact the company's HR line. Candidates should have an updated resume or work history ready, and they should watch for hiring events with walk-in interviews that some branches post.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what R.E. Michel Company may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.