Screening Guest-Room Access, Cash Handling and Valet Roles
Role-based screening for housekeepers, front desk, bartenders and valet attendants in hotels and restaurants.
Short answer
How should hotels and restaurants screen staff with guest-room access, cash or vehicle keys?
Tie each check to the access the role carries. Guest-room access and cash handling commonly lead employers to run criminal checks; valet roles add an MVR because the employee drives guests' cars. These are employer policy choices, so apply them consistently by role and follow fair-chance and FCRA steps.
Access-based screening
Grouping roles by access level — rooms, cash, vehicles, alcohol service — keeps screening consistent across properties and easier to defend as job-related.
Hospitality access matrix
| Role | Access | Common policy checks |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeper | Guest rooms | County criminal |
| Front desk | Cash, keys, guest data | County criminal, SSN trace |
| Bartender / server | Cash, alcohol | County criminal; state server permit where required |
| Valet attendant | Guest vehicles | MVR, county criminal |
Frequently asked questions
Is an MVR legally required for valets?
Generally not by statute; it is often an insurer or employer requirement.
Do alcohol servers need certification?
Some states and localities require server training permits. Check the state alcohol authority.
Can we drug test kitchen staff?
Policy choice, subject to state cannabis and drug-testing laws.
Related tools and guides
Sources
- EEOC — Enforcement Guidance on Arrest and Conviction Records (2012)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681b — disclosure, authorization and adverse action (Cornell LII)
- FTC — Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know
Published and last reviewed October 5, 2026.