TELUS International: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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TELUS International: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

TELUS International draws tens of thousands of job seekers each year across its global operations in customer experience, content moderation, and AI data services. Understanding what the TELUS International hiring process involves - including the background check requirements and pre-employment screening steps - can help you prepare before you apply. Below, we cover TELUS International's history, business model, and global scale, and straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the TELUS International background check process.

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TELUS International: Company overview

TELUS International is a Canadian technology company and a subsidiary of TELUS Corporation, one of Canada's largest telecommunications providers. The company was established to deliver digital customer experience (CX) and information technology outsourcing services on a global scale. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, TELUS International operates delivery centers across the Philippines, Central America (including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras), Eastern Europe (including Romania and Bulgaria), and North America, giving it a geographically distributed workforce that numbers in the tens of thousands.

In February 2021, TELUS International completed a dual listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol TIXT, becoming a publicly traded company. The IPO raised approximately USD $1.06 billion in aggregate gross proceeds and represented the largest technology IPO in TSX history at the time. The company's business spans several service lines: customer experience management, content moderation and trust and safety services, AI data annotation and training data production, and IT services including application management and digital transformation consulting. Major clients have included technology platforms, financial services companies, healthcare organizations, and consumer brands seeking to outsource complex digital workflows at scale.

TELUS International has grown through a combination of organic expansion and acquisitions. Notable acquisitions include data annotation providers that strengthened its position in the AI services market. The company's content moderation practice handles trust and safety operations for major digital platforms, reviewing user-generated content across social media, video, and e-commerce environments.

Company culture and employee programs:

TELUS International has been recognized on various employer rankings in the markets where it operates, with the company citing employee experience and wellness programs as core operational priorities.
The company offers health and wellness benefits to eligible employees, with specific coverage varying by country and employment type.
Learning and development programs are available to employees, including access to digital skills training and role-specific certification pathways.
TELUS International participates in community investment initiatives through TELUS Corporation's broader charitable programs, including the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.
Employee resource groups and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs operate across the company's global workforce.
Remote and hybrid work options are available for select roles, particularly in content review, AI annotation, and customer service functions depending on client and operational requirements.

TELUS International background check FAQs

Does TELUS International do background checks?

Yes. TELUS International conducts pre-employment background checks on candidates as a standard component of its hiring process. Background screening is typically required across most positions, including customer experience roles, content moderation, AI annotation work, and corporate or IT functions. The specific searches included in the background check may vary depending on the job function, delivery location, and the client account being supported. Candidates working on accounts that involve sensitive data or regulated industries may be subject to additional screening requirements.

How long can a TELUS International background check take?

Most employment background checks can be completed in three to five business days, though the actual timeline for a TELUS International background check can vary based on several factors:

Criminal record searches requiring manual courthouse retrieval rather than database access
Multi-jurisdiction searches spanning multiple counties, states, or countries
Employment verification that depends on response times from prior employers
International background screening for candidates with residence or employment history outside the United States
High application volume during large-scale or simultaneous hiring campaigns across multiple sites

For a broader overview of what affects screening timelines, see Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times.

What can be revealed in a TELUS International background check?

A background check report for a TELUS International position may include the following:

Identity verification: SSN trace to confirm identity and establish name and address history for US-based candidates.
Criminal history: County, state, federal, and national criminal record searches; sex offender registry search; global watchlist screening for international sanctions and compliance records.
Employment verification: Confirmation of prior employers, job titles, and dates of employment, which is particularly relevant for roles on regulated client accounts or in IT and management functions.
Education verification: Confirmation of degrees or certifications claimed on the application, which may apply for technical, supervisory, or professional roles.
Credit history: For roles involving access to financial data, billing systems, or sensitive client financial information, a credit report may be included as a role-specific screen.

The specific combination of searches depends on the nature of the role, the client account being supported, and applicable legal requirements in the candidate's jurisdiction.

How far back can TELUS International's background check go?

The look-back period for a TELUS International background check typically covers the past seven years for most criminal history searches, consistent with the default limits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for US-based consumer reports. However, the actual look-back period may vary based on:

The state or jurisdiction where the position is located - some states impose shorter look-back windows by law
The salary or compensation level of the role - FCRA look-back limits on certain record types do not apply above a defined income threshold
The sensitivity of the role or the requirements of the client account being supported
International jurisdictions where local data protection and employment laws govern how far back records may be reviewed

Candidates should review applicable state fair-chance and "ban-the-box" laws, which govern when and how an employer may inquire about criminal history during the hiring process.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal law governing how employers use consumer reports, including background checks, in hiring decisions. Key candidate protections under the FCRA include:

Written consent required: Employers must obtain written authorization from the candidate before ordering a background report.
Pre-adverse action notice: If the employer intends to take adverse action - such as rescinding a conditional offer - based in whole or in part on the background report, it must first provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a written summary of their FCRA rights.
Reasonable dispute window: Candidates are entitled to a reasonable period to review the report and dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information before a final adverse decision is made.
Adverse action notice: If the employer proceeds with the adverse decision, it must send a formal adverse action notice identifying the CRA and providing the candidate with information on how to contact them.
Dispute rights: Candidates can contact the CRA directly to dispute errors, and the CRA is required to investigate and correct inaccurate information.

EEOC guidance further recommends that employers conduct an individualized assessment when criminal history is a factor in a hiring decision, considering the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and the direct relevance of the conviction to the duties of the specific role.

Does TELUS International drug test?

TELUS International's drug testing practices vary by location, role, and applicable local law. Drug testing is not universally required across all TELUS International positions or geographies. For US-based roles, certain positions - particularly those supporting regulated industries, government contracts, or clients with specific compliance requirements - may include a pre-employment drug screen. Candidates are typically notified of any drug testing requirement as part of the conditional offer and pre-employment screening instructions. If you have questions about whether a specific role includes a drug test, the recruiting team or offer documentation will be the most reliable source of information.

What is the TELUS International hiring process?

The TELUS International hiring process typically follows these steps for most positions:

Online application - Submit your application through the TELUS International careers portal or a job board listing, providing work history, education, and any role-specific qualifications.
Application review - A recruiter or hiring system reviews your application against the position's requirements and qualifications.
Phone or video screen - A recruiter conducts a brief screening conversation to confirm your interest, availability, and basic eligibility for the role.
Assessment - Depending on the role, candidates may complete a skills-based assessment covering typing speed, reading comprehension, computer proficiency, or role-specific competencies.
Interview - One or more interviews with a hiring manager or panel, conducted by video or in person depending on the position and delivery site.
Conditional offer - A written offer of employment is extended, contingent on successful completion of background screening and any other pre-employment requirements.
Consent, background check, and onboarding - The candidate provides written consent, and a background report is initiated through a third-party Consumer Reporting Agency. Once the background check is cleared and all onboarding steps are complete, the candidate receives a confirmed start date.

Timelines at each stage can vary depending on application volume, role urgency, and the specifics of the background screening.

What are TELUS International background check requirements?

TELUS International's pre-employment screening requirements generally include the following for US-based candidates:

Written consent: Before a background report can be initiated, candidates must provide written authorization as required by the FCRA.
Accurate application information: The information provided on the job application - including work history, education, and identity details - serves as the basis for verification searches. Discrepancies identified during the background check may affect the hiring decision.
State and local compliance: The specific searches included and the look-back periods applied will reflect applicable state and local laws, including fair-chance hiring requirements in jurisdictions where they exist.
Role-specific screenings: Depending on the position, additional screening components such as employment verification, education verification, or credit history may be required.

Candidates with questions about what will be included in their specific background check should review the consent documentation provided during the offer stage or contact the TELUS International recruiting team directly.

Order your own background check

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what TELUS International may see before your application advances to the screening stage. Reviewing your own report in advance gives you the opportunity to identify inaccuracies and address them before they affect a hiring decision. A personal background check can include:

Criminal history searches: SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlists, national criminal database, and county or state court record searches.
Employment verification: Confirmation of prior employment history as it would appear in a background report.

Start your report at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To share verified background information proactively with recruiters or hiring managers, create a free Checkr Profile.

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Check your report status or get answers through the Candidate Portal, or visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and support contact options.

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.