A background check is a legal process used by employers to screen potential employees. It includes national and county records and criminal history. It can also include references. A hiring manager should take this process seriously because the process could produce meaningful information.
Fair Credit Reporting Act
If you want to hire someone with a bad credit history, you must abide by the Fair credit reporting act (FCRA). The FCRA requires employers to provide a summary of the applicant’s rights and a copy of the applicant’s consumer report and give the applicant at least five business days to dispute any inaccurate information. If the information is inaccurate, it can hurt the applicant’s chances of getting the job. There are four steps to follow when a company should follow when it needs to conduct a background check on candidates.
The first step is to notify the applicant of the information obtained. The report must be provided in writing and contain the details of the company that requested it. The second step is to inform the applicant or employee of any adverse action taken. This step is known as the pre-adverse action process. The FCRA was created in 1971 and protects consumers’ rights. The FCRA has been amended several times since, but it still serves as the primary regulation for the reporting industry. It covers both major credit bureaus and screening companies. It is a complex law that protects consumers and has evolved over the years.
National Criminal Databases
National criminal databases can be a valuable source of information when conducting a background check. However, the database’s information may need to be completed. The FCRA requires that the data used in a background check must be accurate and reliable. To ensure this, the data used by CRAs must go through validation. This process requires validating the results obtained from national criminal databases with the reporting jurisdictions. A national criminal database searches publicly available criminal records from hundreds of thousands of sources nationwide. This approach is more thorough than searching county or state criminal records, which are limited in scope. However, it is not considered the most accurate resource and must be used with a county criminal background check to ensure a reliable result.
Driving Records
Driving records are essential to a background check and can be helpful when considering a potential employee. They can be obtained by visiting a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website or by requesting a copy. The cost of the report is generally about $10, and it is essential to note that a potential employee must sign a release form before the records can be obtained. In addition, the driver’s license number and other personal information must be correct, or a delay in delivery may result. Driving records contain a lot of information, varying from state to state. However, a typical driving record will contain basic information such as the driver’s name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number. It also contains details of the state where the license was issued, the date it expired, and whether the driver had any suspensions or revocations. Furthermore, it also contains information on any violations a person has committed while driving, including speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs. Driving records are also helpful for evaluating the competence of a prospective employee. They can show whether the applicant is reliable and has good decision-making skills. They can also verify an applicant’s identity. Finally, a driving record can provide information on whether the applicant has any history of drug or alcohol abuse.
References
When conducting a background check, references can provide valuable information. These people can describe how the candidate handles various situations and whether they would fit the position well. They can also provide information about the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, you will be able to obtain the information you need with the help of an HR consultant or employment representative.
References are an essential part of the background check process but can also be time-consuming. For this reason, consider outsourcing the process to an external background check company. This will save you time and ensure consistency in the reference check. In addition, you will be able to hire more quickly. When choosing a reference, select one with a positive view of the job applicant. Try to choose someone who has worked with the applicant recently, as references from previous jobs can be clouded with memories.
