The rights and wrongs of background checks
April 2, 2012
53% of all job applications contain inaccurate information, background checks ought to be something all employers should be implementing or at least considering. However, employers have to be careful. There is a lot of legislation surrounding background checks, employment law and an individual’s right to privacy, so if you are running background checks, you need to make sure you do it right. With that in mind, here are some quick rights and wrongs for how to perform background checks: Rights
- Inform the prospective employee that you plan to perform an online search.
- Make use of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which spells out everything you’re allowed to look into.
- It might also be worth checking sex offender registries and running Patriot Act searches.
- Get written permission from the candidate before you investigate anything.
- If you plan to undertake the background check yourself, you must be aware of the regulations, procedures, and policies that you must comply with in order to perform a legal background search.
- Investigating an applicant without their explicit permission.
- Be wary of running social media background checks, as you may come across information which could influence your hiring decision, such as race or age. To make a hiring decision based on such information is illegal.
- If you do uncover something that gives you reason enough not to employ this person, you are required to give notice to the applicant that their consumer report was reviewed, give them a copy of the report, and provide them the FTC’s A Summary of Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It’s vital you don’t skip this.
- Background checks are neither free nor instant, so avoid background screening companies or websites that make such promises.
- Don’t cut corners. The initial up-front investment of running background checks will be well worth it in the long run.
You May Also Like
Check out these additional posts from Mind Your Business.
Significance of PBSA Accreditation in Screening
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, informed hiring choices are paramount. Opting for a background screening firm that upholds rigorous standards of professionalism and integrity, exemplified by PBSA accreditation, is indispensable amid a plethora of options. What is PBSA Accreditation? PBSA, the governing body setting industry benchmarks for background screening firms, grants accreditation following a…
Read More Why Are Continuous Background Checks in Employee Management Important?
Employee management is a difficult and stressful task for many businesses. But there’s a great tool that keeps workplaces safe, trustworthy, and compliant – ongoing background checks. Let’s take a look at what makes them so helpful, how they work in real life, and why they’re so important for maintaining a secure work environment. What…
Read More 
Choosing the Right Background Check Provider for Continuous Background Checks
With continuous background checks, the importance of selecting the right provider cannot be overstated. The decision to integrate continuous monitoring into an organization’s processes comes with the responsibility of choosing a background check provider that aligns seamlessly with the unique needs and values of the organization. Let’s explore the key considerations in selecting the ideal…
Read More Quality and Precise Results, On Time!
Let us know about your screening needs to get a custom quote. We work with businesses big and small as well as the government. Which means we have a package of solutions for your organization as well.