Vermont becomes latest state to ban the box

hiring policy that removes questions about criminal records from the first part of job applications for state employment. Agencies will continue to conduct background checks, but only after an applicant has otherwise been found qualified for the position. The policy will prevent applicants from being immediately screened out of state jobs because of a criminal…

Read More

Social media background checks prevalent, but come with pitfalls

Gone are the days when employers had to wait for background check results to arrive in order to dig up any dirt on a job applicant; while savvy employers still conduct all kinds of background checks on their potential employees, you’d be hard-pressed to find an employer that doesn’t review an applicant’s social media profiles,…

Read More

No question, marijuana laws won’t change for these jobs

will be able to legally use marijuana recreationally. In addition, Measure 91 will allow individuals to possess up to eight ounces of cannabis legally, carry one ounce publicly, and grow up to four cannabis plants at their home. But that doesn’t mean that employers are on board. Until July, all marijuana use including medical marijuana…

Read More

Who should conduct motor vehicle record checks?

Motor vehicle record checks are not as commonly utilized in hiring as other checks, such as criminal record or credit checks, but they are absolutely vital for some businesses, especially ones in the transportation industry. Taxi drivers, cross-country truck drivers, mail carriers, city and school bus drivers, delivery drivers and ride-sharing contractors — just to…

Read More

VEVRAA hiring benchmark drops again

revised regulations implementing the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, effective April 2014, require federal contractors to develop an annual hiring benchmark for protected veterans. This benchmark must be based on either (1) the national percentage of all veterans in the civilian labor force; or (2) a five-factor analysis taking into account various veteran and contractor…

Read More